CORNWALL'S PREMIER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND OPINION
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DEC 2020 / JAN 2021 | ISSUE 143 | £3.95
MR TEA
INTERVIEW WITH TREGOTHNAN’S JONATHON JONES OBE
SURVIVAL GUIDE HELPING YOUR BUSINESS GET AHEAD IN 2021
THE FUTURE OF ENERGY? BRITISH LITHIUM IN PROFILE 12
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DEC 2020 / JAN 2021
ISSUE 143
FEATURES
INSIDE
10 CEO INTERVIEW JONATHON JONES OBE, THE MAN BEHIND TREGOTHNAN TEA
16 GROWTH PROGRAMME WE LEARN ABOUT THE INCLUSIVITY PROJECT
18 SURVIVAL GUIDE 2021 FROM FINANCE TO DESIGN, EXPERT ADVICE TO HELP STEER YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH 2021
32 NIDDOCKS MARKETING YOUR TOURISM BUSINESS
34 BRITISH LITHIUM CORNWALL LEADING THE LITHIUM REVOLUTION
36 BACK TO THE FUTURE RETURN OF UNLOCKING POTENTIAL’S FUTURE FOCUS PROGRAMME
REGULARS 4 INCOMING REFLECTING ON AN ANNUS HORRIBILIS
6 BUSINESS NEWS RETURN OF THE TALL SHIPS
40 CREATIVE & DIGITAL CREATIVE MANIFESTO PUBLISHED
41 FSB FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES ROUNDUP
42 TOURISM NORTH CORNWALL PLANS
43 FOOD & DRINK A TRIBUTE TO ROGER
44 EDUCATION & TRAINING NEWS FUTURE OF ECO EDUCATION
45 ON THE MOVE MOVERS & SHAKERS
46 JUST A THOUGHT FSB’S ANN VANDERMEULEN
48 THE LAST WORD SAM OATEY OF OATEY MEDIA
PHOTO: RETURN OF THE TALL SHIPS – SEE PAGE 9 BUSINESS CORNWALL | 1
DEC 2020 / JAN 2021
CORNWALL'S PREMIER BUSINESS RESOURCE FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND OPINION
businesscornwall.co.uk
DEC 2020 / JAN 2021 | ISSUE 143 | £3.95
MR TEA
INTERVIEW WITH TREGOTHNAN’S JONATHON JONES OBE
SURVIVAL GUIDE HELPING YOUR BUSINESS GET AHEAD IN 2021
THE FUTURE OF ENERGY? BRITISH LITHIUM IN PROFILE 12
12 9 772514
842001
9 772514
842001
ON THE COVER
JONATHON JONES OBE, MD OF TRADING AT TREGOTHNAN – SEE PAGE 10 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Nick Eyriey nick@businesscornwall.co.uk PUBLISHER Toni Eyriey toni@businesscornwall.co.uk BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Morveth Ward morveth@businesscornwall.co.uk
WELCOME GOOD RIDDANCE TO A BAD YEAR!
There will probably be a collective sigh of relief from us all as 2020 draws to a close. It will be a year that lasts long in the memory, but for all the wrong reasons. 2020 is best consigned to the history books. It could have been worse though. We tend to take technology for granted, but imagine how business would have looked without connectivity such as video conferencing or even email. As we move into 2021, while there will still be some challenging weeks and months to come, there is genuine optimism the crisis will soon be over. And as society opens up again, we can all get back to networking and meeting in the real, rather than virtual world. We can also get back to worrying about more mundane concerns. Because it has been interesting just how Covid has put many things into perspective, particularly Brexit.
ACCOUNT MANAGER Caroline Carter caroline@businesscornwall.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS PFA Research, Toby Weller
Up until the pandemic consumed everyone’s thoughts and fears, everything was about Brexit. The economy was going to Hell in a handcart because of impending Brexit. But when Covid-19 struck, who really gave a monkey’s about leaving Europe?
DESIGN Ade Taylor design@businesscornwall.co.uk PRINT Printed in Cornwall by Deltor
But Brexit hasn’t gone away, of course. If Brexit was, in many people’s eyes, bad before, there’s no reason to think it will be any different now. If anything, our economy is now even more susceptible to any damage it could cause.
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However, against the economic and social destruction wrought by Covid-19, it just doesn’t compare. And with the emergence of several vaccines and light at the end of the tunnel, there will be a growing and welcome sense of confidence that if we can see off coronavirus, then what have we to fear over Brexit?
SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@businesscornwall.co.uk Registered under the Data Protection Act. All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, stored in an electronic retrieval system or transmitted without the written permission of the publisher. Stringent efforts have been made by Business Cornwall magazine to ensure accuracy. However, due principally to the fact that data cannot always be verified, it is possible that some errors or omissions may occur. Business Cornwall magazine can not accept responsibility for such errors or omissions. Business Cornwall magazine accepts no responsibility for comments made by interviewees that may offend.
After the past eight months or so, spring could provide a real bounce back across a number of sectors. We’re not there yet, of course, but once we are, let’s enjoy it while it lasts! However you’re spending it, may I wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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ISSUE 143
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THE CONVERSATION
KAREN BARNETT Parc Signs
The big question 2020 has truly been an annus horribilis. Was the majority a year to forget or were you able to find time to reboot and refocus? And how do you go about planning for 2021, when there still so many variables? Join the conversation @biz_cornwall
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It’s certainly been a year that none of us will forget. Lockdown happened just as we’d just finished work on Monsters of the Deep at NMMC which had meant we’d been incredibly busy and were looking at a full calendar of works along with machinery investment thanks to the RDPE Leader Grant Fund. I don’t think any business will come out of 2020 not thinking about how they can adapt their previous business offering. We have been able to use this time to think more creatively about what we offer and what areas of the business we can develop thanks to having the time and resources to research areas of potential growth. Ordinarily, we’d just not have had the time to put to this kind of work and it’s hugely valuable in planning a 2021 and beyond. I do like the saying from Elizabeth Edwards – ‘She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.’ That pretty much sums up 2020 for me!
TOBY PARKINS Headforwards
2020 has been a really challenging year personally for many people. It’s looking like 2021 will be a challenging year economically, as businesses, governments and individuals recover from the financial costs of the pandemic. Disturbance always brings opportunities though. With the shift to home working,
BUSINESS FAIR A REAL VIRTUAL SUCCESS The Cornwall Chamber of Commerce refused to let the pandemic stand in the way of the Duchy’s largest networking event last month. 4 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
THE CONVERSATION
trying to ensure working teams can balance their social credit to maintain great relationships will be key. It’s also going to be important to ensure less advantaged workers who don’t have perfect home working environments are supported. The working from home or office question is going to be a huge challenge for many. The key to solving this I think is to be transparent about all the issues and to involve all members of all teams in deciding what to do. People need to be at the heart of deciding what is best for their teams productivity. At Headforwards we are going to take an iterative approach, trialling and testing different approaches, before reviewing and adjusting them. By taking this iterative, Agile approach, we can test new models, adjust them, and continually reflect upon them. The other key change in office environments is purpose. No longer can we think of an office as being the place you just go to sit at a desk and work, or sit in having meetings. It needs to transform into a vibrant fulfilling environment where people can interact in different ways.
RACHEL PICKEN Agile PR
If 2020 has taught me one thing, it’s been that embracing the Agile value of “responding to change over following a plan” has been the only way to survive. Back in March, I was driving to Swindon to deliver Agile training for a communications team the day that Boris Johnson announced the work from home directive. I was turned around by my client on the A30
The Cornwall Business Fair, which formed part of the week-long Festival of Business, has long been a key date on the calendar, and while it had to adapt for the times, it still proved to be a great success, albeit virtually. The platform used to host the fair allowed the chamber to take its established event online and provide the networking many have craved since March. Delegates could meet each other and interact in an exciting, virtual exhibition hall. After much anticipation, the Business Fair sprung into life at a click of a button on November 4. It was no surprise that the Duchy’s companies came out in force for a celebration of business, building
and headed home expecting bookings for my business to diminish. Fortunately, I’ve never been busier. I’ve still managed to work towards by business growth goals, as well as launching a second business – 80% Awesome. I pivoted Agile PR from an award-winning independent PR consultancy to a virtual agency, bringing in a skilled team of freelance associates. Going forward, professional services businesses need to be able to flex to meet client demand and I’m proud to be supporting talented freelancers nationwide whilst delivering exceptional communications for clients.
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I’ll be heading into 2021 with a focus on what delivers value – for me, my associates, clients and also my family. I’ve learned it’s easy to get caught up in detailed planning, but if you focus on your goals and chip away, you will get there. And for the rest of 2020, I’m looking forward to a Twixtmas rest and recuperate!
JOANNA STAJKOWSKA Cornwall Payroll Bureau
2020 has been a year of significant growth for us as a Payroll Bureau. With the announcement of the furlough scheme and the more recent extended furlough until March, the need for our payroll technicians’ knowledge and expertise is in high demand resulting in gaining quite a few new clients. It has been a steep learning curve but our team responded brilliantly to the challenge and supported our clients through these difficult times. So, 2021 is all about being prepared and having the capacity to deal with any challenges that may be thrown at us.
the vital connections needed to support each other through this difficult time. Attendees virtually entered the lobby where they could navigate through the fair. From exhibition hall to auditorium, auditorium to networking area; even those still busy at work or who were previously unable to venture to the chosen location had the chance to attend this year. This was a new experience for many which ignited conversation through a multitude of different features, including the creation of a virtual coffee corner! The ability to leave questions and comments to those with exhibition stands, and a straightforward download into the ‘swag
bag’ allowed everyone to share business detail and brochures whilst saving paper. This also made light work for those exhibiting, with everything at the touch of a button saving time and energy, where previously much preparation and days out the office may have been required. All in all, what a week of bringing businesses together in what has been an extremely worrying year for most. Cornwall Business Fair saw some top speakers presenting and fantastic connections made.
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BUSINESS NEWS
St Austell Printing Company has strengthened its sustainability credentials by becoming just one of a handful of printers in the UK to become an official ‘Carbon Balanced Printer’. The certification is attained by offsetting the company’s entire operational carbon
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footprint, through the purchase of endangered tropical habitat. This is part of a scheme operated by the World Land Trust, of which Sir David Attenborough is a patron.
Trong - one of the best remaining examples of lowland forest in the Annamite Mountains of Central Vietnam. This equates to the equivalent of around 15 football pitches.
In the first year, St Austell Printing Company has committed to protecting and restoring 26 acres of tropical forest in Khe Nuoc
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A new sustainable clothing brand has been launched in Cornwall. The pandemic might not be seen as the ideal time to start a new business, but Rebecca Kandola, co-founder at Newquaybased The Laughing Octopus, has been undaunted. “We wanted to start a clothing brand which offers a sense of fun and community and highlights that we’re all in it together,” she explained. “If something good can come out of Covid, I hope it’s that the sense of community and support which we saw back in March continues in some way. We need to look out for one another and take the pressure off ourselves. I hope we can empower people to see the positives in life, be themselves and not try to live up to anyone else’s standards, and to have a little laugh at life along the way.” Kandola says a key principle for the company is to be completely sustainable. Only 100% cotton is used in its clothing range, made on a farm which does not use toxic fertilisers or pesticides. All packaging is also produced from natural materials.
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A new online platform has been launched to encourage people to buy local.
THE LAUGHING OCTOPUS
Buycornwall.co.uk brings Cornish producers, makers and creators together online to create an easy place for the public to buy local products. And until December 2021, advertising on the website is free. The man behind the initiative, Peter Watson, says it has never been more important to support the local economy. He says for every £1 spent with a local, independent business, between 50p-70p circulates back into that local economy. When shopping online or with large out of town retailers only generates around 5p back into the local community. He said: “Local businesses need to thrive if communities wish for the revival of the high street and local economic development, but we need to support them now when things are tough and many with their backs against the wall with nowhere to turn.”
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FERITECH BUILDING NEW BASE Marine engineering company Feritech is building a new, state-of-the-art facility just outside Falmouth. Covering an area of 3.5 acres, the new site will greatly increase Feritech‘s manufacturing capabilities and the services offered to both local customers and the company’s established global client base.
Spaceport Cornwall has launched its new educational outreach programme to inspire youngsters to explore careers in the space industry. With the first launch from Spaceport Cornwall in 2022 on the horizon, Spaceport Cornwall and Virgin Orbit began their mission to connect with the future leaders of launch by hosting their first educational webinar. Over 150 local students from Penrice Academy and Pool Academy attended the
Founded in 2012, Feritech designs and builds subsea engineering solutions primarily for the marine geotechnical sector. Over 90% of the company’s products and services are exported, with clients in more than 40 different countries. Co-founder and MD Rob Ferris explained: “This new facility is a major step forward for our business. The development of Floating Offshore Wind is a fast growing regional and global opportunity and we are ramping up our capacity, partly so we can help accelerate development of this vital new industry.”
hour-long broadcast and were able to learn more about space launch from Cornwall and how rockets are built, as well as taking part in a Q & A with the teams.
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seen in students today was hugely inspiring - this is exactly why we wanted to begin our new outreach programme.”
Dave Pollard, education and outreach officer at Spaceport Cornwall, said: “The enthusiasm
TO INFINITY AND BEYOND BUSINESS CORNWALL | 7
CORNWALL
BUSINESS NEWS
Falmouth-based superyacht specialist Pendennis has completed the refit of the extended 74.5m My Lady E. Pendennis has transformed several areas of the yacht, including a 6m stern extension. The extension houses a 66sq m ‘beach club’ featuring a large seating area complete with a 77” plasma TV, a fully equipped bar. Other improvements include a new spa,
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new AV/IT and a new power system. Both engines were also given an overhaul. Toby Allies, Joint MD at Pendennis, said: “Here at Pendennis we are very proud of what’s been achieved on the Lady E project. The scale and scope of the project has meant that all of our in-house specialist teams were called upon during the course of the yacht’s time at the yard.”
Two Cornish building schemes, both based in Redruth, were recognised in the annual Michelmores Property Awards. Kresen Kernow received the coveted Building of the Year award as well as winning Project of the Year (over £5m). The impressive development has re-imagined the former Redruth Brewery to create a public library and world class archive facility that houses some 1.5 million Cornish artefacts. Judge Thelma Sorensen OBE said: “I am
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LATEST PENDENNIS REFIT extremely proud to have Kresen Kernow in Cornwall; it is a long-awaited project and truly inspirational. The use of refurbished materials is exemplary; it is driving regeneration and a source of pride to many in the local community.” Chi Winder and Chi Vesta in Pool won in the Project of the Year (under £5m) category. A homeless and social exclusion service, the scheme provides greatly needed accommodation in Redruth.
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The Tall Ships Race is set to return to Falmouth this summer. At its annual online conference, Sail Training International, the global organiser of Tall Ships events and races, endorsed Falmouth as the ‘Race Start Partner’ of this iconic race, one which will also commemorate 500 years since the first circumnavigation voyage around the world. The maritime event will mark the sixth time Falmouth has hosted the tall ships, with the inaugural one for the town being held in 1966. Given current surrounding circumstances related to Covid and potentially necessary social distancing and safety measures, the 2021 Falmouth event will be “operationally innovative”, while adhering to all necessary Government guidelines. Tall Ships Falmouth 2021 will be underwritten by Falmouth Town Council, with financial support from its key partners Falmouth Business Improvement District (BID) and Falmouth Tall Ships Association. The new event format will welcome around 40 vessels into the sheltered, deep waters of the vibrant port town. Tall ships from various
RETURN OF THE NEWS IN BRIEF TALL SHIPS nations will arrive prior to the August 19 race start date (subject to weather, tides and other factors), with the magnificent Class A square-rigged vessels anchoring in the ‘Carrick Roads’, the estuary of the River Fal. A further number of Class A and Class B ships are likely to anchor in Falmouth’s inner harbour, while Class C and D will be berthed at Port Pendennis Marina. Falmouth BID manager Richard Wilcox said: “This is another brilliant example of the partnerships that work so well in Falmouth, coming to the fore to secure this opportunity. “These events are not only wonderful occasions, thanks to the hard work of many individuals, organisations and volunteers but they provide a significant economic boost as well. The 2014 Tall Ships Regatta that the team put on for example, injected over £10 million into the Falmouth area and given the current climate, we are planning for a programme of proactive initiatives and activities for 2021 that can support the local economy and provide a welcome boost for business.”
GET ON BOARD FLOATING WIND Marine-i is calling on businesses to seize the opportunity in floating offshore wind. The EU-funded programme, which promotes innovation in marine technology in Cornwall, has announced that it would like to engage with businesses without marine experience and for them to consider the fast-growing opportunity in marine tech. Professor Lars Johanning of University of Exeter, lead partner for Marine-i, said: “Marine tech is a sector which is currently being transformed by exciting regional and global developments. Significant amongst
these is the emerging opportunity for Floating Offshore Wind in the Celtic Sea. This has the potential to make Cornwall and the south west a world leader in this new form of renewable energy.” Steve Jermy, CEO Of Wave Hub, which is leading the South West Floating Offshore Wind Accelerator, added: “We are poised to build an important new industry in the south west, which will create thousands of new jobs and also have huge export potential.” Marine-i can be contacted at info@ Marine-i.co.uk
According to latest figures, sales of £1 million+ homes have soared since lockdown and particularly in Cornwall. An average of 868 £1 million+ plus sales have been agreed each week across the UK since the beginning of June, 66% higher than the weekly average over the same period in 2019, new data from Savills and TwentyCi show. The south west has seen the biggest surge in demand, with sales in Cornwall up 66% on a year ago. ____________________ The Merlin MS Centre received its largest single donation from a grant funder in 2020 with a £25k injection from the National Lottery Community Fund which will help towards its running costs. The Charity provides therapies and support for people living with long-term neurological conditions including Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s. ____________________ The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (CIOSIF) has supported more than £10 million of investment into 24 local businesses in its first two years of operation. The £40 million fund was launched in 2018 by the British Business Bank and the LEP to provide new and growing businesses with more funding opportunities. ____________________ The Cornish Fishmonger has donated £600 to the Fishermen’s Mission after pledging £4 of every online sale of its 20 Portion Cornish Seafood Hamper. MD, Rob Wing, said: “With less demand for seafood from the hotel and restaurant trade during Covid-19 lockdowns, the fishing industry has struggled to survive. The support the Fisherman’s Mission offers both active and retired fishermen and their families is critical to ensure the Cornish fishing community can survive the duration of this pandemic.” ____________________ According to a new study, just over 375,000 new businesses have been registered in the UK since lockdown began. The online retail sector saw the highest number of new businesses, accounting for 5% of all registrations. In the south west, 20,030 new businesses were formed. ____________________ Cornwall Museums Partnership has appointed four new members to its board – Plymouth University professor Katherine Wills, management accountant Heather Coupland, creative consultant Zoe Partington and museum curator Sarah Waite.
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 9
JONATHON
JONES
Britain has long been a nation of tea drinkers. Indeed, tea is probably the national drink. In recent years, however, it has also been establishing a reputation as a grower of tea. And the pioneer of the British native tea industry is based right here in Cornwall, Jonathon Jones OBE, MD of trading at Tregothnan
No one can teach a Brit about tea
Jonathon You’ve been at Tregothnan since 1996. Was tea always on your mind when you joined or was it more as a consequence? It was a consequence, definitely. I had always been interested in business, but I was regarded as a botanist. It seems like an odd journey to take, but my argument was if you look at the big city boys, they are always using our language for gardening with their seed funds and growth opportunities. And making a profit is really what gardening is about, so it wasn’t that big a step really and business is quite simple. And I had always fancied working on something that would help sustain the garden that I was recruited to work for. The owners here go back 700 years. And the brief was to make the garden pay for itself. And that’s really hard, so tea came along as a consequence as you say to help pay for the garden.
How long had you been there before you thought about tea? About two years. We started planting in 1999 and scaled 10 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
Jones
up from there. I went off and did a few big studies, particularly with Nuffield Scholarship, and won a couple of Cornish awards along the way. All these things help build credibility.
What made you realise the estate could be such a great location for growing tea? A lot of things. Many, many climatic factors. The soil. And the fact that these days we often talk about microclimates. And here they’re very micro. This climate here is probably only about 150 acres, within a huge estate. This estate rolls down to various coastlines and famous parts of Cornwall, but they are not good for tea. Tea itself is very niche. The clue was some of the flora that has survived here for hundreds of years. And you think why is it only growing here? Why is there nowhere else in the UK that can support this flora. So, there is a bit of detective work. You can start to believe your own marketing and I was showing someone round a few weeks ago and this guy said I’d just read a book written in 1910 that said there is no reason why the River Fal could not support a commercial tea estate for the UK!
And it’s sold all over the world
Yes, the tea goes out to many, many countries. It’s lightweight and easy to ship. We also sell a lot by the website and have distributors in the US and Japan and a lot of other countries too. There is a lot of change going on at the moment with the situation out there so we are in the process of recruiting new distributors remotely, which is actually quite an exciting opportuning, whereas in the past it would have taken quite a long time to get out there and set up distributors with face to face meetings, but that can’t happen at the moment. I don’t think it’s a bad thing; it would be nice at some point to meet up with some of new stockists and so on, but in the meantime this is the way we’re going to have to work.
We started seriously scaling up to become Europe’s largest tea garden from about 2001
We sold our first tea in November 2005, but we started seriously scaling up to become Europe’s largest tea garden from about 2001.
Taiwan, Asia generally, Australia and New Zealand we’re looking at. More is going in North America and South America, and there’s loads of opportunity in Europe. Many people might think that’s all come to a stop with Brexit, but it hasn’t.
JONATHON
JONES
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 11
JONATHON
JONES
Has Brexit impacted much? Bookings for going ahead beyond Brexit and hopefully the pandemic are stronger than ever. The idea that we’ve got a strong identity is what appeals to our friends in Europe. So far our stockist and distributors are not having any issues. Some of our customers in Switzerland, who are not really in the UK anyway, can’t work out what all the fuss is about, because they’ve been working perfectly well with Europe the whole time. And with the pandemic, who cares about Brexit anyway! That’s amazing isn’t it? That’s part of the excitement of doing business these days, it’s never boring! One of your most eye-catching export markets is China. Is that more important for its marketing value, selling tea to China? Sure. China is never going to be a big market. But it’s nice when we get Chinese tea companies asking us to produce tea for them under licence. It makes us realise that they take us seriously. But I think our income from China will be
as much about Chinses guests visiting us, that’s a hidden export. We don’t count that as physical sales to China, but that supports exports sales. China sales are more into Hong Kong, which is relatively straight forward. The other income we get from China is giving talks and tastings in China, where they regard us as a very interesting story, how we’ve taken their national drink and made it the UK’s national drink. What’s the largest export market? The US? I guess this year it will be. America has really come to the fore for us and we’ve got a really lovely distributor there called Brits USA. A lot of traffic to our website comes from North America. We’re starting a series of virtual talks and tastings and they go down very well. Does the business trade on Britain and England more than Cornwall? Very much so. That was the clear brief at the beginning. We’re a proudly British business headquartered in Cornwall. Our international headquarters is in Cornwall, but very much flying the flag for the country. Is that because many countries aren’t particularly aware of Cornwall itself? That depends. The English-speaking countries are very aware, and of course Germany loves Cornwall. But one of the aspects of tea is that it is regarded as an English thing. The very name ‘English tea’ means something in most countries. Why is that? Why is tea so synonymous with England when we don’t have a tradition of growing it? That’s a good question. We were the first country to adopt it and take it as their national drink but not actually grow it. So, we became
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master blenders of tea, buying tea from the markets around the world. Consistent blends that became synonymous with us became English Tea. You can trace back the birth of brands coming out of the first tea blending. Without that consistency there couldn’t be a named brand. So, you can go back to the days of Thomas Lipton and those early heroic guys, they did an international branding job really for the UK. However much I love being in the tea gardens and spending time with the horticulture, the truth is the value add comes from everything to do with spreading the word and creating the brand. And that’s where most of my 20 years have been really, investing in that. Over those years, have you been more businessman than horticulturist? I’m afraid so. But looking back I do see the two are very compatible. Keeping it nice and simple and getting on with it and cultivating it, they are all things we do in horticulture and in business and I spend a lot of time advocating that to other businesses. And I’ve spent nearly 20 years working alongside Plimsoll Publishing as well, which has been a huge help. They bring world class analysis in a really simple format to busy managers - people like me, who are not accountants, haven’t got time to paw over huge amounts of data, just want really good analysis. Plimsoll helped me with early days research for tea when I couldn’t really get to the bottom of why some companies were even in the tea business. You can’t just judge a company by its annual report.
Tea varies wildly doesn’t it, from a supermarket brand which costs about 2p a tea bag to something that costs a whole lot more. You’re right. So, coming into that market and saying we’re going to create a premium brand
JONATHON
and become most British tea in history, which is one of our straplines, people thought we were nuts. A few pence is all people were willing to spend. But look at what happened, is still happening, in coffee, where we’ve seen a premiumisation. And there’s no reason as far as I can see that it couldn’t happen with tea, and of course it has. So we’ve just stuck to our guns. Our owner here would often say to me, you just have to be there in your thinking. The reality is the world hasn’t caught up with where tea needs to be priced, so we just have to go out and do it and see what happens, which is what we did.
Can tea grow like coffee. It used to be just instant coffee almost, then it just exploded.
We obviously got ridiculed quite a lot in the beginning because people thought it was just too expensive, but we were a niche, premium tea. But still an affordable luxury. Our most expensive tea today is nothing compared to the most expensive drinks on the market, which are usually alcoholic of course!
In the long term, yes I can definitely see that happening. We’re creating models, we’ve done pop up versions and at the moment in lockdown doing virtual versions. It might mean working with players in the market who already have facilities, for example working with some of the new lifestyle hotels coming into London and creating tea houses within their premises. One of the things a lot of people want to do in the UK is make themselves appear more British and the first thing they think of is tea. We can help, it becomes a win-win. We may not end up being the landlord of the premises, but we might set the experience and provide the content for it.
It’s an evolution of people’s perception of what tea is?
Their product I genuinely believe is not as good as tea. I do drink coffee, I like coffee, but I think there’s far more excitement in tea and far more to come from tea and the journey is far younger. I think over the next ten years, the tea sector is going to be the most exciting this country has ever seen. Do you think we will see tea houses like we now get coffee houses?
The very name ‘English tea’ means something in most countries
Totally right. If you look at how perceptions have changed, that’s happened in tea slowly, probably more slowly because there’s something in the British psyche that says we are the masters of tea. No one can teach a Brit about tea - boil the kettle, make it strong, and that’s a good cup of tea. It’s a very personal experience. One man’s cup of tea is another one’s dishwater. It’s a job of education, as you’ve suggested, but slightly harder in this country because you’re dealing with people who think they know all about tea. So, we run tea training courses, which have been very good for us, because it teaches us what people think they know. And when you learn properly from the people who know in Asia how you make tea, it’s not what you think. Better quality tea in fact needs to be made at a lower temperature. What’s encouraging is that the value is creeping up, even though the volume is not. So basically we’re more prepared to spend more on better tea. Less supermarket own label brand and more speciality tea? Possibly, but it is still difficult to make those kind of generalisations. I suspect really cheap teas are still doing ok, but so are the really super premium brands. I think it’s the middle price ground that is being squeezed.
Do you think one day there will be a tea house on every high street like with coffee?
Everyone we talk to asks when that is happening. On the high street in this country and in others, people are craving new experiences. Once they are allowed to again, people want to spend time together in a nice environment that isn’t necessarily a high caffeine, buzzy environment, but just somewhere they can socialise nicely, possibly replacing the whole shopping experience which has now changed hasn’t it?
JONES
areas, such as online sales. Potentially, we’re looking at the best Christmas we’ve ever had, helping people who are stuck at home have a great Christmas. And we have holiday cottages on the estate that have had to lockdown again, and some staff there have been furloughed. Furlough has been a fantastic boost for many businesses. How do you feel the Government has handled the pandemic overall? Far from perfect, but it’s easy to be critical. There is no playbook. But I think history will judge them fairly well. We all have to speak up and say what we need because they don’t have all the answers and they do look to businesses to say what they need and we shouldn’t be afraid of saying it. During lockdown, many people turned to nature to get through. I don’t think Gardeners’ World had ever been so popular. Do you see this trend? Without a doubt. We’ve just finished filming a BBC1 Christmas special down in our rare kea plum orchards. A year ago I think I would have struggled to have sold the lichen drenched orchards as a Christmas story, but this year they said this is exactly what viewers want. They want to be reconnected with nature and have something natural and sustainable to connect with. Do you get to be outdoors as much as you would like in your job? Not as much as I like, but I do very well. I’ve just come from that site to speak to you now. It is a fantastic part of our lives in Cornwall to be so close to that environment and I’m very fortunate. I make sure it’s part of my job to go out to the tea gardens!
The pandemic has been doing crazy things, how has it impacted on your business? Quite a bit, I’ll be honest. Some of our biggest customers have evaporated or gone into deep freeze mode. What we had hoped to have been a temporary pause has turned out to be a most of the year pause. For example, Great Western Railway have hardly seen any tea service on board; they were serving a million cups of our tea a year. That has been a huge blow to us. But what’s been good about all of this is that it has forced us to step up a gear in the other
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 13
JONATHON
JONES
You’re dealing with a crop that’s incredibly difficult and fickle
You could spend all day now literally just walking around tea gardens. We’re planting another 20 acres every year until we get to about 150 acres. There’s a lot of tea to get around. It’s fantastic to go around on a nice day, or even a rainy day, it then feels more like Dharjeeling! What do you take most satisfaction from? Seeing the business grow and people within the business, those two things together. We can’t do it without the best people. We’ve had some fantastic people to help us get where we are and there’s more talent in Cornwall today than we’ve ever had and I feel very privileged to be able to work in the county. You’re also chairman of the agri-food council It’s a chance to pay back something. I often think the great Cornish food brands owe a lot to tourism and we should also never forget we owe the Cornish environment a huge amount and can all do our bit to enhance that and spread that word all around the world that we have something unique. Overall, do you think the reputation of Cornish food and drink has been going up and up? It has but just hold that thought for the next few months. There’s even more excitement coming. In the early part of 2021, you’ll see some really great initiatives in the food and drink sector. 14 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
We’ve had some great heroes in Cornish food and drink, like Ruth Huxley, and what’s coming next will really build on that. I’m really excited about the next few years in this industry. Cornwall holds a very special place in people’s hearts. This year that will be even stronger. We have been very careful during lockdown to share a little bit of the garden, all the things we take for granted, but if you’re living in the city, you haven’t got access to this. We try and bring it virtually to people on a regular basis without bombarding them. For example, the open rates on our email newsletter have never been higher, because people connect with nature and what this county has. How much is the tea worth compared to the rest of the business at Tregothnan? Tea is the main driver, and still has the best growth prospects. Not only is it an experience for people to visit on the south side which we’ve reopened, we’ve got the new Jungle Garden, which we’ve developed alongside one of the tea gardens. But the export and UK sales of the tea itself are only at the beginning. We’ve just appointed a new commercial director who can really help drive that. He joined right at the beginning of lockdown and we thought this was really terrible timing, but actually it was a good thing because he’s had that nine months to really get into the business and understand it and now we want to get out there and not wait. There’s no reason to wait, this is what we have to work with and let’s see how we can win business from where we are now. How much is tea business worth in sales? This year it will be struggling to get to £2 million, we’ll have to wait to see. If we counted everything we do in tea, experiences and everything, there’s no reason why it couldn’t get to many millions. By the end of
this decade there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be a £20 million business. You’ve been at Tregothnan for 24, 25 years, that’s pretty much a lifetime! It is! But the other thing about tea is that it’s been a slow thing to develop. You’re dealing with a crop that’s incredibly difficult and fickle. I sometimes think it’s far harder than wine to establish and more expensive, and there’s no industry. We are literally pioneering a new industry here. No research, we’ve had to do all of it ourselves. There’s nothing around the country or even in Europe we can turn to for support. So, if you think of that, 20 years hasn’t been so bad, sometimes I do think this is painfully slow! But we are here now and have established tea with over 35 varieties of our own and have had to compress many decades of R&D that most counties do into less than two decades. And you were just awarded an OBE. That must have been a proud moment? It was for international trade and commerce. Not just the tea, but for encouraging other Cornish businesses to get their products around the world, because we often don’t do that enough. But I was ecstatic! It was a tribute to my colleagues and those have supported the research, Nuffield, Plimsoll and many other who have stood by and provided help and reassurance and confidence. It’s so easy to lack confidence when you go out and do something really new. And there’s a lot of great companies down here doing new stuff and we should encourage them to do it.
Relax
We’ve Got IT Covered As customer expectations rise, businesses depend on reliable technology to deliver goods and services. Keeping your technology healthy, reliable, resilient, secure and with a plan for the future is key to driving growth and success.
Partnering with Focus can help you achieve these goals, and more.
01209 613660 | focus-technology.co.uk At St Austell Printing Company, we’re proud to announce that we’ve offset our entire operational Carbon Footprint - helping to protect endangered habitats around the world. The homes of guys like this. Sustainability and the environment are at the heart of everything we do. From building one of the country’s most sustainable printing factories, to installing our own solar panel array - we’re proud to have been named the UK’s most environmentally-friendly printing company.
That’s why we’ve offset the carbon footprint of our entire operation in association with the World Land Trust.
When you choose SAPC as your printing partner, it also gives you the opportunity to carry the official “Carbon Balanced Print” logo on your project - a chance to show off your commitment to sustainability too. Read more on our website, or get in touch with our team of experts for details. We’re here to help.
R
By buying our products you help take care of the world’s forests
ISO 9001:2015
REGISTERED COMPANY Certificate No. CA13275
FSC® C140438
Business Cornwall - December 2020.indd 1
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 15 11:57 16/11/2020
Information correct as of 9th September 2020
In our first year alone, the carbon we’ve offset has protected 26 acres of forest which was under imminent threat of deforestation and degradation – that’s the equivalent of 15 football pitches.
GROWTH
PROGRAMME
the
inclusivity
project
People are living longer, working longer and retiring later. Only 58.4% of people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are aged 16-64: We have more older people who are still working than most other Local Enterprise Partnership areas in England
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GROWTH
Covid-19 has forced many older people who work, and people with health conditions or disabilities, to shield themselves and work remotely. So now is a crucial time for businesses to reassess how to protect the health, maintain the productivity, and retain the experience of their older or more vulnerable staff. The Inclusivity Project, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, launched 18 months ago with the aim of helping employers, jobseekers and policymakers all adapt to how Cornwall’s working population is evolving. The three-year project is led by the University of Exeter, in partnership with disAbility Cornwall, Age UK Cornwall, and the Local Enterprise Partnership.
“To provide a return-on-investment business case for a tailored programme, we’ve developed a series of complimentary mini-surveys. Businesses can check in with how their employees are feeling, across mental health, financial health and lifestyle. Then we’re offering employees tailored user guides to support their specific needs, along with advice and recommendations for the business.”
We evolved the existing survey tools so that we could capture bespoke data from employees aged 50+
The project works by connecting local businesses with university researchers who are specialists in health and business. The aim is to assist small and medium sized businesses in becoming more inclusive – whether that’s by improving their own employment processes, or by launching new digital products or services that boost others’ inclusivity.
Laurie Magowan, Project Manager at the Inclusivity Project says: “We try to understand the challenges that local businesses have, make available grant funding, expert knowledge, and cover the costs of people’s time for the research and development of their new wellbeing products too.” Hug International Limited is one of the businesses working with the Inclusivity Project to develop a product specifically aimed at supporting the older workforce. Hug was founded by Richard Doig after his experience developing employee benefit programmes for businesses offering perks like gym memberships, dental insurance, healthcare and pensions.
Despite success with the new survey tool, Hug was missing an opportunity to support employers in being a more inclusive workplace. Richard approached the Inclusivity Project, and working with a researcher from the University of Exeter, he created an add-on for employees aged 50+, called Hug50+.
PROGRAMME
“We’re mapping the whole system surrounding employment of older people, or those with a disability or long-term health condition. We want to know what the barriers are, what knock-on effects certain changes might have, and identify possible interventions,” says Laurie Magowan. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s older population puts it ahead of the curve in learning to support older people to have healthier working lives. Laurie adds: “Our healthy ageing initiatives could help other parts of the country in the future. So, any solutions we develop in collaboration with businesses could go a lot further than just helping our own residents.” For more information about the Inclusivity Project please visit: www.theinclusivityproject.co.uk
“We evolved the existing survey tools so that we could capture bespoke data from employees aged 50+. The Inclusivity Project put us in touch with Dr. Daniel Derbyshire at the University of Exeter, who specialises in Health Economics. They also granted us funding to allow us to develop additional clinical-based questions, and supportive self-help interventions, which specifically focused on the aging workforce,” says Richard. “We want to understand what different challenges older people might face in the workplace. With this information, businesses can tailor the benefits they offer, and even consider the impact of day-to-day operation, working environment and culture.” Research is another key element of the Inclusivity Project.
Richard Doig says: “The issue was that there wasn’t really a clear rationale behind what businesses were implementing for their employees – despite the fact that the motive was good”. BUSINESS CORNWALL | 17
SURVIVAL
GUIDE
To help your business recover from pandemic damage, we’ve compiled a short survival guide with some specialist advice and tips...
Survival 2021
guide
CONNECTIVITY
IS YOUR BUSINESS MISSING OUT ON ESSENTIAL FUNDING AND SUPPORT? CEO, Ian Calvert, reveals how access to funding and support is helping Wildanet build better broadband in Cornwall When we first started Wildanet (Cornwall’s independent broadband provider), one of the first things we did was to look around and see what support was available to us from a financial perspective. It goes without saying that for many companies, one of the biggest problems is having the financial capability to get to where they want to go, at the right time. We came across Access to Finance who work with both new and established companies to provide grants to support business growth. The service is fully funded. All they ask for is an investment in your time and energy. In exchange they work with you on a one-to-one basis, offering full
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support and introducing you to a host of specialists. What’s more, their team are based right here in Cornwall, so they have a wealth of experience supporting local businesses. HOW DID ACCESS TO FINANCE HELP WILDANET? As a result of working with the team at Access to Finance, we were able to bring on a finance director much earlier than we could have done on our own. Additionally, we are currently working with the team on another grant, which will enable us to refurbish one of our buildings and help us recruit more people to our team. In the current climate especially, the
funding and support available from Access to Finance could be a very welcome addition to your business. Find out more at a2fcornwall.co.uk ABOUT WILDANET Wildanet is a Cornish broadband provider, bringing superfast and super-reliable broadband to homes and businesses throughout the region. To find out more, visit www.wildanet.com or call 0800 0699906
SURVIVAL
GUIDE
I.T.
BE PREPARED Having supported their clients through a year of upheaval, Pool-based IT company Piran Tech knows what it takes to survive - and thrive - when the unexpected happens Planning for the future and putting good IT systems in place means your business can adapt to change, whether that’s global upheaval like the coronavirus pandemic, or planned growth in the New Year.
SharePoint, which allow teams to work together and manage content securely across organisations.
The ability for teams to communicate, collaborate and stay connected with their customers is more important than ever. Piran have put together a lockdown survival checklist to help you plan for success:
Taking the time to put a business continuity plan in place will save you time and money in the event of any major disruption to your business, and ensure you can recover quickly with minimal downtime.
Make sure your team stays connected
Protect your business with good IT security
Cloud-based phone systems and email ensure your business is resilient: your team can work from anywhere with an internet connection. Whether you’re expanding to a new site, or offering flexible working options to your staff, you can do so with minimal disruption.
Prepare for every outcome
Online threats to our data security are more prevalent than ever, especially with so much of the workforce working remotely. Good IT security will keep your systems and data safe from attack.
Set up collaboration tools
Get the support you need lined up
Increase productivity and foster teamwork with collaboration tools like Microsoft
Outsourcing your IT support can provide peace of mind, save you costs on software
and hardware, and allow you to plan better for the future. From out of hours support to future planning, a good IT company will take care of your systems in the background, so you can focus your energy where it’s needed.
If you’d like some support preparing your business for success in the New Year, visit the Piran website www.pirantech.co.uk, email them at info@pirantech.co.uk or call 01209 340120.
EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP
SUCCESSION WITHOUT TRAUMA Invariably founders of a company will, in time, either wish to move onto other opportunities or take a well-deserved retirement
For many years, the options were limited to a trade sale or sale to private equity, a management buyout or winding up. All these options, however, have significant drawbacks, be it the price chipping through the due diligence process, the personal debt concerns of the management buyout team or the inevitable redundancies that arise on a winding up (and to a lesser extent a trade sale as ‘synergies’ are implemented). EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP EXIT Employee Ownership (EO), by contrast, offers an appealing exit plan for founders
without the need to find a buyer, without a heavy due diligence process, on a timeline that suits the owners, while securing the future employment of the employees.
solicitors take time to get to know you and your business so they can provide clear and concise advice, giving you certainty that the future of your business is in safe hands.
Add to that 0% Capital Gains Tax on the sale price (at market value) compared to the current 10%-20% standard CGT rates on a sale and it is hard to see why EO is not the No1 succession plan.
Christian Wilson leads the EO service at Stephens Scown and took the firm through its own EO transition in 2016.
As the first law firm in the UK to become Employee Owned and full members of the Employee Ownership Association, the Corporate team at Stephens Scown LLP understand first-hand what it takes to make a successful EO transition.
If you would like to discuss how to embrace the possibilities of employee ownership or explore a business exit strategy that is right for you and your employees, please contact Christian on 01872 265100, email corporate@stephens-scown.co.uk or visit www.stephens-scown.co.uk
With over £30 million of value being delivered to founders and over 400 employee owners being created, we are leaders in supporting and implementing EO in the south west. Whatever path you’re considering, our
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 19
SURVIVAL
GUIDE
R&D TAX CREDITS
FUND YOUR INNOVATION WITH R&D TAX CREDITS
and development by offering them up to 33p for every £1 spent in a qualifying activity.
If your business is being innovative through improving processes, increasing efficiencies, or bringing new products and services to the market, then you may be eligible to claim Research & Development (R&D) Tax Relief R&D Tax relief is an incentive available to UK limited companies to boost investment in UK innovation. It is currently one of the most generous forms of tax relief available to SMEs and can generate game-changing sums of money for UK businesses. HMRC continues to incentivise businesses that invest in research
There are different rates of R&D relief available depending on the company’s size, the nature of other funding such as grants, and who owns the intellectual property. The relief can be granted as a reduction in corporation tax, or as a cash payment. It is often surprising how wide-ranging the legislation is, and the amount of qualifying activities which remain unclaimed.
R&D tax credits are a proven way to spur investment in innovation. HMRC carried out a study in 2015 which showed that for every £1 awarded in tax relief, up to £2.35 of additional investment in R&D is stimulated. Bishop Fleming has a dedicated team with a proven track record of supporting clients with R&D claims that is ready to help you through the claim process. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss innovation and investment in your business and to help you assess the potential benefits which might be available to you under the R&D Tax Credit regime. Further information can be found on our R&D knowledge hub: www.bishopfleming.co.uk/ResearchDevelopment-Hub
A successful claim could result in a cash refund within 28 days of submission. Therefore, it is also a quick form of finance in an otherwise difficult market. Furthermore, a successful claim can, in certain circumstances, be shown above the line, improving the profit position of a company, and making it a better prospect for investors.
For more information please contact: Allison Allington, Partner aallington@bishopfleming.co.uk 01872 247066
CHARITY
SUPPORT IN TIME OF NEED St Petrocs is Cornwall’s only independent homelessness charity, providing accommodation, support, advice, training, and resettlement services to people experiencing homelessness in Cornwall This winter is set to be one of the hardest we’ve faced, with increased weather extremes due to changing climates, the economy, and the added pressure of COVID-19. The pandemic has created a whole new layer of homelessness, and we’ve seen people being propelled into homelessness unexpectedly, with extreme and complex situations. The lives of people who are experiencing homelessness and forced to sleep rough will be at risk from the double threat of the cold weather and catching COVID-19 this winter. As colder months approach, we are focusing on the best way to protect rough sleepers from the cold weather and COVID-19. This
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year we are facing unprecedented uncertainty with regards to the type of winter service we can offer in line with government social distancing guidelines. We are always seeking new and innovative ways to refine and respond with adaptations to our services. This has been especially true during the rapidly changing and uncertain times we have all been experiencing this year. Each year we run our Winter Appeal over the coldest winter months to fund this work. We are continually humbled by the support and generosity of the Cornish community who make it a success. Visit our website to discover ways you can
support our work, perhaps your business could help by becoming a business supporter? Talk to us about what this could mean. If you would like to support our appeal, you’ll find our yellow donation envelope in this issue, or get in touch for a Winter Appeal Pack.
stpetrocs.org.uk/businesssupporters supportus@stpetrocs.org.uk 01872 260948
SURVIVAL
GUIDE
STARTUPS
STRIKING OUT ON YOUR OWN? From being furloughed to working longer hours, or even facing redundancy, there’s no doubt many of us have had cause to give serious thought to where our careers are headed this year Now, Sophie runs a successful business from her seaside studio in Falmouth, doing something she loves; handmaking, printing and retailing eclectic homeware and fashion accessories.
While many people are keen to get back to work and how things were, many are also eager to embrace change, leave behind the 9-to-5 and start something amazing of their own. As one of the region’s leading business start-up experts, Outset Cornwall have put together their top tips for going it alone:
She says: “Don’t give up on your dream, and make sure you enjoy the journey while knowing you’ll have to work hard. As a busy mum to The business start-up experts three children, I’m used to multitasking and 1. Assess your existing skills or hobbies getting the most out of every single minute. As lockdown forced people to spend more Running a business I love now gives me the time at home, and therefore online, many freedom to work anytime I choose.” new entrepreneurs seized the opportunity 3. Don’t be put off by the current to develop existing hobbies and explore Attending economic climate using online platforms to sell their products, achieving amazing success in a short space of time. Some even managed to turn their sidehustles into six-figure turnover businesses during lockdown, by cleverly adapting their products or selling model to suit such uncertain times.
Outset’s startWhat do Airbnb, FedEx, WhatsApp, Groupon up gave andcourse Uber all have in common? Apart from mebeing clear focus and they were all started hugely successful, during economic recessions. A company direction.
2. Start a business doing something you feel passionate about Running a business can be a labour of love and success rarely happens overnight, so working on something you really know and care about will make the journey more enjoyable.
that’s formed during an economic slump is Krissie Colton more to have the tools and resilience to Melikely Clothing fly when the economy improves. The current situation will bring permanent changes in the way we live, shop and do business, but there are plenty of opportunities for start-ups willing to embrace those changes. 4. Have a plan and be organised Detailing what you need to do, when and how you’re going to do it will help you stay focused and keep on track. Andrew Davey started his business, Topitots in March 2020 making fully recyclable environmentally friendly toys. He says: “I’ve found it’s so important to plan ahead. When I started out, I used project planning Gannt charts to schedule all of my to-do lists to make sure I met my own deadlines. Otherwise things never happen!”
Focus
Start
JO HAGUE
Want to be your own boss?
6. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Running a business requires a wide range of skills and you won’t be good at everything straight away, so getting support from an organisation like Outset Cornwall can be a huge help. #BeOutsetReady Jo Hague from Lostwithiel started her sustainable textile art business during lockdown with Outset Cornwall’s support and now makes and sells her stunning pieces online and through an interior design retailer in London. She says: “Do a business start-up course so that you’re fully aware of what having your own business entails. Outset’s programme was so useful - I’ve learnt so many different elements to running a business and it’s helped me get my full product range online and generate sales, even during lockdown.” Outset Cornwall offers a flexible, awardwinning business start-up programme that supports you through every step of your business journey, from developing your first ideas through to planning and launching your business.
Run Grow Funded by the European Regional
Development Fund, HM Government and the Outset Foundation, Outset has been supporting entrepreneurs in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly since 2009, helping over 840 businesses get off the ground and creating over 1000 jobs in the local economy.
Whatever your situation, we can 5. Don’t try to rush Sophie Tilston had a degree in textile design help get you where you want to be Winning clients takes time – sell, tweak and a successful career as a product SOPHIE TILSTON
designer and buyer but always wanted to start her own business. With a busy family life and job, Sophie never had the opportunity until the lockdown in March 2020 gave her time to make plans and complete Outset’s fully-funded business start-up programme.
your offering, then sell again. Successful businesses are usually very different from those described in their original business plan. Try something and if it isn’t working, try it a different way. Persistence is a vital quality of any entrepreneur.
Starting own business or going selfCall 01209 311063 oryour visit employed can be daunting yet exhilarating www.outset.org/cornwall toandstart your journey having the right support behind you really makes a difference. To find out more, visit www.outset.org/cornwall
Funded by
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ENVIRONMENT
SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH DURING AN ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCY With environmental emergencies being declared across the world businesses large and small have been accelerating their transition from linear to circular business models “The circular economy provides us with an opportunity to transition to more sustainable and resilient ways of living and working. Using the Circular Jobs Monitor to complete a baseline analysis for Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly provides us with data that can be measured year on year.” Dr Dan Bloomfield, Tevi project manager
The circular economy moves a business away from the idea of waste and ensures that value is maintained throughout the cycle of a product. Tevi (Cornish for Grow) is a £3 million ERDF project led by the University of Exeter in partnership with Cornwall Council, Cornwall Development Fund and Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Tevi supports Small & Medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly to transition from linear to circular business models. In order to support businesses in fast tracking through this transition Tevi teamed up with Circle Economy (CE) in Amsterdam to develop a range of bespoke solutions which have already achieved great results. The three key areas of work are as follows: 1 A circular self-assessment for
businesses designed so that Cornish SMEs can better understand circular economy practice for their own business and prioritise actions that will have the greatest benefit to them and to the region.
2 Circular economy in-depth workshops
in the transition to a much more circular economy across Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly. Circular economy in-depth workshops support a greater depth of understanding of the circular economy, allow business owners and managers to be trained in circular economy principles, and foster greater business resilience.
Workshops have been completed in June and October with further sessions planned for 2021. 3 A circular jobs monitor report evaluating
the current circular practice in Cornwall, identifying gaps and further opportunities, and measuring progress.
This report puts forward a four-stage approach for examining the employment impacts of the circular economy in regions and nations: 1) Circular Jobs baseline analysis; 2) Identification of key value chains for the national economy; 3) Identification and analysis of prominent strategies for each value chain; 4) Labour and skills mapping, concluding with skills pathways.
A baseline analysis has been published. Results and comparison can be found at jobsmonitor.circle-economy.com This exciting collaboration draws on the international experience of CE and helps keep Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly plugged into European-wide networks of businesses, all sharing expertise and opportunities. This specialised support package will be offered to businesses that are in a position to both benefit individually and contribute towards a collective impact within the region. This is an extended project and we are inviting businesses to contact us to participate throughout 2021. Please contact us on the below details for more information. tevi.co.uk info@tevi.co.uk 07986 511883
“The Baseline Circular Jobs Monitor report demonstrates the importance of Tevi’s work in supporting the transition to a circular economy in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We all need to now get on board and make decisions that help speed up this process.” Mark Duddridge, LEP
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SURVIVAL
GUIDE
SIGNAGE
FIRST IMPRESSIONS LAST It would be lovely to think that 2021 will be a year less fraught with challenges for businesses but with the end of the Brexit transition period and the challenges remaining from a global pandemic businesses are still going to be on their toes Maintaining a customer base and gaining new clients is key at the best of times. Getting them through the door in 2021 will be a competitive marketplace and signage can form an important part of that.
difference. Quality signage, both externally and internally, showcases your business commitment to offer the best in terms of the service you offer.
BRAND IDENTITY
Look also to those smaller things that you do too. Ensure you’re being consistent in how you get messages across. We’ve all got used to having to put out ever changing messages but it pays to think about how you actually do that so that it looks professional but at the same time allows you to change them quickly. Step away from those laminated A4 notices that we all saw too much of in 2020! Presentation can help influence a client’s spending behaviour.
If you have taken the time and money to develop one – use it. Make sure how you use it is consistent. If you don’t have a brand identity, get recommendations of agencies, look around at what you do (and don’t) like. A logo that becomes recognisable reinforces the image of trust. CREATIVITY Think differently when it comes to application of your brand into signage. A creative exterior sign attracts attention. It doesn’t have to break the bank but it can be the small detail that can make all the
RAISE PRESENTATION STANDARDS
For expert advice on all things sign related, including vehicle wraps and branding visit www.parcsigns.co.uk
LOANS
IS A LOAN RIGHT FOR YOU? Properly planned borrowing can be a valuable tool in helping you to accelerate business growth by enabling investment in assets, people and systems
Due to the current circumstances, many otherwise growth-orientated businesses have been taking advantage of the Government schemes to help with working capital. With the “new normal” transition coming far more swiftly than expected, you have likely spent recent months considering the future of your sector and how you can pivot your business to maintain and/or create new revenue streams. For the most successful business owners, this drastic change will be the catalyst to expand market share and customer base. South west businesses have received nearly £4 billion of funding across more than 107,000 facilities with the support of
the British Business Bank’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS). Whilst these schemes have enabled record levels of investment, it will all still need to be repaid and so it is essential to carefully consider future cashflows under different scenarios to ensure that taking on any additional loan finance is the right thing for your business. It is therefore vital to produce financial forecasts that allow you, as a business owner, to make decisions that ensure the correct finance is sourced so that the investment you make has the desired impact.
local businesses who may not be able to raise their requirements from the bank. Our dedicated, professional business managers will help you review your plans and forecasts to ensure that taking on finance is the best thing for the long-term viability of your business. We are always happy to have an initial discussion about your options so please do get in touch if you think we might be able to help. www.swigfinance.co.uk
As a Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI), SWIG Finance works with
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BUSINESS SUPPORT
BACK TO THE FUTURE (FOCUS) Future Focus is back and, just like its predecessor, is not about one-size-fits-all; it’s about making time to step back and imagine your businesses future Here are some 2021 questions to ask: • Who or where are your customers now? • Do you still have a USP? (And, if so, is it the same as it was in early 2020?) • Does the thought of 2021 make you feel like punching the air or pulling the duvet up? • What exactly HAS a global pandemic done to our imaginations?
Time was, looking three to five years ahead was an excellent habit; these days, three to five months might be pushing it. You might think you’ve done enough improvising and emergency re-imagining to last a lifetime. You might think you’ve hardly started, and that the next two quarters are potentially your most exciting in years. There’s no binary question and no single answer; there never was. In the wake of chaos, thinking ahead has never been more important. So, Unlocking Potential, part of The Cornwall College group in partnership with the University of Exeter have brought back this ERDF funded programme which will give you the time, space and inspiration to re-think, re-plan and refresh. While change can cause havoc, it can bring new beginnings too. When cracks start to show in the existing order, the agile, imaginative, quick-thinking and far-sighted thrive.
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The first Future Focus programme saw a vibrant mix of peer-to-peer workshops (labs), big-thinking, heavy-hitting events and business trips nationally to meet influential business leaders and renowned pioneers. With its return, Future Focus will be running large inspirational events and Labs online, and as soon as it is safe to do so, will develop a programme of trips. For now, its online Innovation and Future planning sessions will pave the way for a mix of one-to-one support, the new lab series (where businesses are matched into strong peer groups to facilitate peerto-peer learning and collaboration), one -to-one work with Business Development Managers. Via Future Focus’s partnership with the University of Exeter, there are monthly networking events which
focus on specific topics (such as People, Planet, Profit; Circular Textiles; Mining Business Breakfasts and more recently Covid-related topics). The university, specifically its Business School, will also be contributing to Future Focus via academic-led workshops and bespoke business research exploring how businesses can become more resilient and contribute to a more balanced economy. More information on the programme and events can be found at: www.unlocking-potential.co.uk hello@unlocking-potential.co.uk 0845 600 3660
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BUSINESS STRATEGY
HOW HAS COVID-19 CHANGED YOUR BUSINESS STRATEGY? For many businesses, the key to surviving 2021 and beyond will be a wholesale review of their strategy While Cornwall has been fortunate to experience lower coronavirus case numbers than some parts of the country, the economic impact of the pandemic has been just as severe in our part of the world.
advisers PKF Francis Clark, says: “Covid-19 has had such a profound impact on our economy that few businesses in Cornwall are likely to emerge from this crisis looking exactly as they did before.
Many changes to working practices and consumer behaviour are likely to remain even after a vaccine is widely available, meaning that long established ways of doing business may no longer be viable.
“The impact has been different for every business. Some have pivoted to capitalise on new opportunities, while others have suffered major disruption and significant financial damage.
For business owners and managers, it’s essential to stop and examine your business model if you want to survive and thrive in future.
“As we look forward to 2021 and hopefully life after the pandemic, now is the time to step back, consider the bigger picture and ask yourself some fundamental questions about the future of your business.”
Scott Bentley, partner and head of the Truro office of chartered accountants and business
PKF Francis Clark’s Covid Business Review service draws on the firm’s wide range of expertise - including corporate finance, business recovery and sector specialists - to help business owners to refocus or restart their operations as we enter a new era. The Covid Business Review process includes: • A comprehensive assessment of your existing assets – including intellectual property, skills and connections, as well as physical assets • Analysis of how your marketplace is changing • A fundamental review of how your assets and skillsets could be used to exploit emerging opportunities • Setting out your options, including potential routes to market and financial projections • Recommendations and actions REFOCUS
TOM ROACH business is right now, before exploring how your physical and non-physical assets can be used profitably in future.” RESTART For businesses which are more financially troubled as a result of Covid-19, an objective analysis of the situation and potential routes forward can be the key to survival. This is particularly important as the withdrawal of government support schemes, coupled with creditor overhang from the crisis period, puts strain on cash flows. In some cases, directors will need to consider their duties carefully. Tom Roach, Cornwall-based partner at PKF Francis Clark who specialises in advising tourism and hospitality businesses, says: “The earlier you seek advice, the more options you are likely to have. By being involved at an early stage, our business recovery team can often find creative alternatives to a formal insolvency process to keep a business trading, enhance its opportunities and safeguard employment. “Often this will involve working with all the stakeholders to find common interest in the future success of the business.” PKF Francis Clark has a wealth of experience in supporting businesses in a wide range of sectors to review their strategy and find the best way forward in uncertain times.
For some companies, the impacts of Covid-19 are likely to prove temporary but will still be felt for an extended period of time. Scott adds: “We are working with business owners to help them understand how their market has changed since the pandemic, so they are fit for the future.
SCOTT BENTLEY
“The first step is understanding where your
For more information, visit: pkf-francisclark.co.uk/covid-business-review
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CREATIVITY OF FILM Fast-growing Cornish video-production company Oatey Media says more businesses are turning to the creativity of film to help them overcome some of the marketing challenges and restrictions they have faced as a result of Covid-19 in 2020 of key sectors including manufacturing, education, food and drink & property”
“Back in March, 2020 looked like it was going to be a really challenging year as we all grappled with the initial impact of the national lockdown,” says founder Sam Oatey. “But in true entrepreneurial style, businesses started to think beyond what they had done traditionally from a marketing perspective. The beauty of video is that it isn’t restricted by lockdown and provides companies with opportunities to really get under the skin of their brand, product or service. “As a result, we have been working with clients across the UK – in a Covid safe way - to create captivating video content across a number
With more people spending time online through Covid, engaging video content is becoming more important than ever as an effective part of marketing B2B and B2C campaigns. For companies thinking about integrating video into their marketing consider some of the key points below. 1) Planning is crucial – consider what you want this video to achieve and what target market you are aiming at. 2) Consider video if you have had events and exhibitions cancelled as a result of Covid 19 – they can create great alternative opportunities to discuss new products and services. 3) Think about the importance of mobile friendly video content – 75% of all video plays on mobile devices.
4) Create user-friendly content – content that is useable and optimised for each platform you plan to use it on. 78% of the population watch online video every week. 5) Consider video production as a story that puts the customer at the heart of the experience. 6) Use your video content to help meet your wider marketing objectives – 81% of businesses are now using video compared to 63% last year. 7) Make sure your video content reflects your brand – fun, daring, outdoors, serious and trustworthy.
oateymedia.co.uk info@oateymedia.co.uk 01872 211499
PAYROLL
MAKE IT PAY Director Tim Wilkins explains how Cornwall Payroll Bureau can help companies during the pandemic In these uncertain times, having a payroll specialist has become more important than ever. As well as normal payroll and auto enrolment calculations, they are now needed to calculate employee furlough pay, as well as calculate and submit CJRS claims on behalf of employers. However, for most SMEs it has become impractical to have an in-house payroll professional, which is why more and more businesses are outsourcing their payroll to expert payroll bureau. There is also the issue of the in-house payroller being off sick, which is even more of threat during a pandemic. We have spent the past seven months supporting our clients through the pandemic, offering help and guidance, ensuring their employees are paid correctly and all furlough pay is claimed back from HMRC. We have also provided our clients with regular, summarised email briefings, to
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help keep them up to date and informed of this ever-changing situation. CORNWALL PAYROLL DASHBOARD To enable businesses to have greater control over their payroll function, we have recently introduced a new custom built interactive payroll dashboard, which gives our clients instant access to all company payroll information and gives the ability to analyse payroll costs in depth. There is also an employee portal for staff to log and access their payslips and other pay information. FREE HR HELP AND ADVICE Our clients also have free access to our HR partner, Peninsula’s helpline, which has been invaluable to many during these difficult times. ABOUT US We are an experienced team of payroll technicians based in Truro, providing a
professional, cost effective and personal service to all Businesses. We recently achieved the CIPP Payroll Assurance Scheme (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals), which is the gold standard in the payroll profession. See what our clients have to say about our service and support during the pandemic on Google reviews & Yell.com For more information on our services, contact Tim on 01872 306412 or email Tim@cornwallpayroll.co.uk
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DESIGN
A DESIGN FOR LIFE ‘In the business world, the rear-view mirror is always clearer than the windscreen,’ (Warren Buffet) and that is going to apply more than ever in 2021 As a business wondering what is coming in the new year, one of the things we do know is that businesses who invest in themselves are more likely to make it. Another is that businesses who invest in ‘design’ outperform those who don’t by two to one (McKinsey). So, in this radically new digital world, how can you differentiate your product, your service, your offering? Whilst it doesn’t just have to be about a new logo, now is the perfect time to review your brand. Where we’ve relied on our in-person interactions, does your brand connect with your customers in the same way? Does the look and feel of your website encourage people to trust you and buy from you? In a crowded marketplace how can you visually stand out from the crowd? Think about your competitors and how they
‘look’ in comparison to you. In all the noise and chatter on social media, is your voice lost? Don’t be afraid to ask for some honest opinions from customers and friends, and good or bad, take it all on board and use it to take stock of where you are in the market and where you want to be. A good design agency can be an objective and creative friend - share your business goals with them and they will help you find the visual style and tone of voice that will reflect your ambitions. Make sure that at
every touchpoint your customers have with you - your website, flyers, social channels and even on the phone - they are reminded of why they have picked you as their business of choice.
vitamincornwall.com | 01872 260023
HUMAN RESOURCES
BUSINESS SURVIVAL – THE PEOPLE PERSPECTIVE We are all figuring out how to survive this extraordinary situation; it is messy and uncomfortable. It’s easy to just think about the bottom line, but helping your staff manoeuvre this situation well, will help your business survive Supporting your staff who are on furlough leave is essential. Working to retain your staff means that you are keeping their skills, experience and company knowledge. When the business returns, your key people will be ready to help your business not only survive but thrive. Maintaining contact with your team with remote team meetings or individual calls is advantageous. Keeping your staff in the loop helps to keep them engaged. Company online quizzes or physical team challenges such as step challenges, work well. Communicate regularly and make sure your staff know what is happening in the business, and future plans.
Review and update your processes, taking time to get to the bottom of your ‘To Do’ list. Upskill or train your staff without the pressures of day to day operations.
Make an outline plan for business return. Think about the working environment, bringing staff up to date and what your immediate and medium priorities will be.
Assure your staff that you value them, their contribution and it is your overall desire to retain them. Work with them to plan future projects.
When the challenges of 2020 are behind us, staff may not remember the pain, but they will certainly remember how you dealt with them during this time.
Offer to support your staff any way you can. This may be supporting their mental health, physical health or directing them to other agencies, e.g. for budgeting or financial support.
Contact Sapience HR on 01736 339384 or email at hellothere@sapiencehr.co.uk
What different ways of doing things have worked for the business and individuals during lockdown? What could be utilised going forward, e.g. remote or flexible working, virtual recruitment.
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SKILLS
THE 5 SKILLS YOU & YOUR BUSINESS NEED, RIGHT NOW Covid-19 has changed the rules of the game in terms of both how we live, and how we work. The feeling of uncertainty – and not knowing what the future may hold – has become a part of everyday life working from home, do your staff have the expertise needed to navigate the remote working environment? Increasing your digital knowledge can not only help your business adapt to survive, it can actually help it thrive.
STRATEGY The future of working is a future that looks to be disrupted. Disrupted, in the sense, that the way we have worked in the past will not be the way in which we work in the future. How do we first survive and then, hopefully, take advantage of the opportunities in this sea of change?
MARTIN AND ZOE DAVIES FROM ST AUSTELL’S CAFÉ TENGO SAID THAT WORKING WITH THE SKILLS HUB HELPED THEM FEEL MORE CONFIDENT IN MANAGING STAFF. One thing is certain, however: to emerge successfully from the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses will need to nurture their employees’ skill sets. So, what are the skills needed, both right now and into the future? The independent, impartial and expert team at the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Skills Hub have got your back, with the team at the ready to ensure that you and your business are equipped with the skills you need to tackle future challenges. The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Skills Hub are your resident skills experts. The crack team can help you navigate the tangled web of training options, and training providers, that are available here across Cornwall, taking the hard work out of finding the right training solution to see your business thrive. Getting beneath the skin of your business to uncover the skills you need, the Skills Hub will spot the things that you might not see for yourself. We all know that staff development has the power to boost efficiency, improve engagement and help your people shine. Now is the time to make that happen. What are the essential skills that you need right now? There are many – as we know
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doubt have learned ourselves throughout 2020 – but here are the top five skills needed to attack this new way of working.
DIGITAL Covid-19 certainly has not bought on the need for digital literacy, all it has done is exacerbate it. Businesses and employers will require staff to possess an increased level of digital know-how, beyond simply being able to setup a Zoom call or updating your businesses Facebook page. The development of improved digital skills is an important part of building resilience to destabilising shocks like those presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. For businesses who may have had a bricks and mortar store on the high street, do you have an established online presence that allows your business to continue reaching customers? For those whose employees are now
Where are we heading? How can we get there? Who can help us achieve our objectives? It is time to step back and look around and move towards our strategic decisions being largely proactive rather than reactive ones. Yes, it may be tough to plan for a future that we know little about. However, strategic thinking is a mindset of preparing for these changes and having plans in place to deal with them effectively, so you keep moving towards your business goals.
EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY We all want to improve efficiency and productivity. How many times do we find ourselves stuck with too much on our plate? Or with a to-do list that never seems to be finished?
The crack team can help you navigate the tangled web of training options
How do you overcome this? Simplify. Greasing the wheels and making sure that processes are simplified is essential. Improving processes leads to a greater, more agile business, positive staff morale, less time wastage, and ultimately ensures that staff are all singing from the same hymn sheet. When this occurs, there is less room for error, less chance of delays, of missed deadlines and wasted resources.
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Adaptability is not just about a shift in our mindset, it also encompasses a behavioural and emotional change. The emotional aspect can be the most difficult – changing those thought patterns from negative to positive. Ensuring that you have this resilience in the skills toolkit for your business will enable you to stay ahead of the pack.
OFFICE MANAGER WITH KERNOW CONTROLS, LUCIE HACKNEY, ACQUIRED NEW SKILLS THAT HAVE SEEN HER BUSINESS WORKING ACROSS A NUMBER OF NEW DIGITAL PLATFORMS. Empowering your staff is one way in which efficiency can be improved, increasing their ability to make decisions makes your business better. With the working from home model here to stay – for the foreseeable future at least – for many businesses, this in itself provides a fantastic opportunity for us to all be more efficient, and ultimately, increase productivity.
LEADERSHIP
ADAPTABILITY AND RESILIENCE This skill set largely encompasses or packages together those mentioned above, but it is critical to take the things we have learned thus far in 2020 and use these to build self-awareness, self-confidence, selfreliance and adaptability. The way businesses operate has changed, and employees need to be flexible enough to be able to adapt with these changes.
Softer skills go hand in hand with remaining adaptable and resilient, so look to better your team with skills in the areas of creativity, innovation, agility and emotional intelligence. Does your business need help in acquiring the skills you need for this new way of working? The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Skills Hub can help identify any gaps through a FREE Skills Review of your business. Call Claire on 01209 708660 to find out more, or to book your review today. The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Skills Hub is part funded by the European Social Fund and is match funded by Cornwall Council and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.
Good leadership skills aren’t just for managers, anyone within a business can take a leadership position at this time. With working from home being the norm for many, or for those who have returned to a workplace complete with social distancing measures in place, workers have been provided with increased autonomy. Making difficult decisions, away from managers or from a group, is the new normal. With the increase in digital ways of working, good leadership now requires new skills and abilities. For managers with staff working remotely, the distance divide alone provides its share of challenges. Ensuring staff morale is boosted, encouraging collaboration, and communicating effectively are just a selection of the challenges faced daily. So, are you a good leader and are you enabling others to be the same?
“THE KEY SKILL THAT I NEED TO IMPART ON MY STAFF IS EMPOWERMENT, SO THEY CAN MAKE BETTER DECISIONS,” PAUL MASSEY, BLUEFRUIT SOFTWARE.
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INNOVATE WITH FALMOUTH LAUNCHPAD How can you get ahead in 2021? An essential consideration for any businesses is ‘innovation’. Falmouth Launchpad views innovation as the development and implementation of new ideas to improve processes and create and improve products and services. Innovation can increase efficiency across your organisation as well as profitability. To ensure any innovative idea you have is worth spending time and resource on, it’s important to take a good look at your marketplace and your customer. That is exactly what Launchpad, Falmouth University’s incubation and acceleration programme, supports entrepreneurial startups to do. Providing tools and techniques to support them to assess the market and to identify and address customer needs to ensure that their innovative solutions hit the mark. Launchpad seeks to address market failures and forge a new generation of marketfocussed tech businesses, creating fully resourced, high-performing elite teams which
are ready to solve challenges – and this is one way you can engage in an innovation process. Launchpad turns the typical start-up model on its head, so candidates don’t join the programme with a fully formed idea, instead they respond to challenges identified by industry partners. This relationship sees businesses setting challenges - based on identified market needs - for multi-disciplinary teams of software engineers, digital creatives and business experts to address. Launchpad has worked with Amazon and Sony Interactive Entertainment as well as regional partners Goonhilly Earth Station, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Watson Marlow and Pendennis.
Teams have worked on projects covering everything from fin-tech, e-health and wellbeing to fashion, agri-tech and gaming, supporting businesses as they innovate to explore new market opportunities and develop new products and services. The programme is underpinned by an MSc in Entrepreneurship, where teams benefit from business guidance, mentoring and training. To find out how your business could work with the Launchpad start-ups and be involved in an innovation journey, contact the team via launchpad@falmouth.ac.uk Launchpad is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Research England and Cornwall Council.
INNOVATION
LAUNCHPAD OUTREACH Further to the success of Launchpad, Launchpad Outreach is now supporting established Cornish businesses in their innovation journeys Based upon the methodologies that strengthen the MSc in Entrepreneurship, Launchpad Outreach works with existing SMEs to identify opportunities for innovation and provides support that includes market intelligence analysis and CAD development to test, scope and validate potential new products and services. Providing fully-funded consultancy support, Falmouth University’s Launchpad Outreach team is assisting innovation in businesses from any sector. From exploring consumer trends and collating a competitor analysis, to helping to design and run a survey to gather feedback from potential customers; the Market Analysis team work directly with businesses to ensure any research undertaken responds directly to their needs. For those businesses looking to develop
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physical products Launchpad Outreach can also provide access to Falmouth University’s in-house product design consultant, offering support such as concept development, computer assisted design modelling and prototyping. And, where appropriate, the team can also access funding to enable support for businesses from relevant industry experts. Rachel Koerner, Launchpad Outreach’s business development manager said: “We’re delighted to have supported so many Cornish businesses in their innovation journey over the last year. Utilising the resources of the University alongside the skills of our team we’re keen to continue supporting the
growth of our business community.” Launchpad Outreach is managed by Falmouth University and funded by European Regional Development Funding. For more information visit: www.LaunchpadOutreach.com To access Launchpad Outreach business support please contact: lpoutreach@falmouth.ac.uk.
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GRANT FUNDING
GRANTS FOR GROWTH! We all want to put 2020 behind us but we know how difficult it is to plan for the future right now. If you are a company looking to expand and create more jobs, we have some good news for you! Despite the pandemic, here at CLLD we’ve been investing EU funding in key areas of Cornwall, strengthening opportunities for people and enabling businesses to grow.
Grants in Action – supporting Cornish businesses, the economy, and opportunities Chocolarder Ltd has been creating delicious chocolate in Falmouth since 2012. As the business grew, they identified opportunities to expand into new confectionery markets in the UK and abroad. However, they were unable to produce the quantities required to keep up with demand. They needed crucial investment to scale up their production processes!
Chocolarder Ltd is one of many businesses supported by CLLD to secure a grant of up to 45% of the costs of scaling up production and sales – so don’t miss out!
• Explore the grant support you may be eligible for
• equipment (if this is new equipment, the costs of training staff to use it could be covered)
They approached us here at CLLD with a project aimed at promoting the art of chocolate making and the merits of proper sourcing and production. We were able to support them to secure a grant of £30k, enabling them to purchase the equipment they required, upgrade their production line, and set to work growing their market share.
We particularly welcome applications for projects, from established businesses, that will create new jobs in their local community.
This investment resulted in increased production and sales, which in turn has led to the creation of additional full-time jobs for local people.
As we come out of this second lockdown, we want to stimulate the economy of Cornwall even more. We know that one of the best ways to improve employment opportunities for local people is to invest in local businesses. We can offer grants of between £10k £100k to help you invest in: • production or sales-related capital expenditure that will drive growth and new employment • diversification to exploit an identified market opportunity
As our funding is targeted at specific geographical areas, we may not be able to help everyone who applies.
Contact our friendly team of knowledgeable advisors to: • Discover if you’re in one of our target geographical areas
• Share your plans for the future and get expert help to present these as a project submission • Find out how we can support you throughout the whole application process • Make a difference for your company and to Cornwall!
Talk to us – we’re here to help you grow!
Tel: 01209615067 Email: CLLD@cornwalldevelopmentcompany.co.uk www.communityledcornwall.co.uk
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DIGITAL
MARKETING
Digital action plan for
tourism
Communication has always been the key to success in business. Now more than ever we need open and honest communication in our marketing, advertising, policies, procedures, terms & conditions. Digital marketing makes communicating your brand, message, offer, destination, accommodation, attraction, activity or other entity much easier and cheaper than it was 30 years ago when many tourism businesses relied on newspapers, magazines, telemarketing and travel agents to attract customers.
Although easier and cheaper, digital marketing is still confusing to many
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cheaper, digital marketing is still confusing to many. Much of the work can be carried out by yourself now and Cornwall is full of really good small businesses that can help you with all or some of what you need to do if you need a helping hand. This year, having looked at the data from hundreds of businesses in Cornwall, we have noticed some interesting trends amongst all the difficulty and confusion that has surrounded tourism and travel throughout the last six months. A few key points are worth highlighting and I recommend that you take time out to audit your own digital marketing activities, advertising and web presence to ensure that you’re ready for whatever 2021 has to throw at you.
While the pandemic presented massive challenges for the hospitality industry in 2020, Rob Edlin, director of digital marketing agency Niddocks, has some advice to help tourism businesses bounce back in 2021 The two most significant things I’ve observed this year are: 1. There are many more people visiting websites in Cornwall that have not visited before - the figure varies from business to business but as an average, we’re seeing almost twice the number of “new” visitors to websites, in real terms this means tens of thousands more people are looking for holidays in, services provided and products to buy from Cornwall. 2. Search patterns and terms have been very different this year, people are searching for things to do, more information, Covid restrictions, opening times, delivery information, cancellation policies, places to visit and generally we’re seeing searches for terms that indicate that people are new to the area or the products and services offered in Cornwall. With the above two points in mind, now is the time to make sure that you are being found for the problems and solutions that people are searching for.
DIGITAL
My recommendation for getting started with this is to address the problems and the solutions in the content on your website and social media. For Example, somebody might be searching for the problem “what to do on a wet day in Cornwall with kids” or they may search for something that more resembles the solution like “indoor playground in Newquay” - you can address both the problem and the solution in your content by working the content up into a useful paragraph of text such as “Not sure what to do on a wet day in Cornwall with the kids? Our indoor playground in Newquay is open to small groups from the same household on an hourly basis, book your half hour slot online now.” The following should help you organise and prioritise your activities over the next few months: • Be consistent with your communication across all platforms - make sure that your opening times, delivery schedules and any Covid-19 restrictions are displayed on your website, adverts, Facebook, Google My Business, Instagram and any other platforms that you use • Ensure that your information is up-to-date and, if relevant, let people know when it was last updated as the rules and guidance around Covid-19 keep changing • Make sure you have your website backed up and you know where your data is and how to get it back up and running within a
few hours if you get hacked. Sadly, we’ve seen an increase in website hacking, mainly through out of date plugins or missed security updates. • Change your passwords regularly and where possible enable two factor authentication • Test your website performance and improve it or get your web developer to improve it for you if it is slow or has issues with tools such as tools.pingdom.com or www.thinkwithgoogle.com/intl/en-gb/ feature/testmysite • Enable a caching plugin on your website to speed things up • It sounds odd to me to say this now, but make sure that your website is mobile friendly and supports Accelerated Mobile Pages technology • Take control of your own SEO and Content Optimisation by making sure you have an SEO plugin on your website (such as Yoast for WordPress) - pay particular attention to optimising Titles, META Descriptions and Headlines (H1) on each page • Wean yourself off online travel agent/ booking websites that take hefty commissions, there’s more demand now than supply in most cases, if you don’t get away from them now then it’s going to be more difficult for you in the future • Consider using Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising and Facebook Advertising to run some very targeted campaigns to attract last minute business or target the
MARKETING
shoulder season which is likely to be much busier than normal in 2021 as international travel will still be difficult for people • Don’t worry about the summer season, save your advertising budget for the shoulder season, add negative keywords for summer etc • Try display & search remarketing • Add a mini Tourist Information Centre to your website, point people to popular attractions, places to eat, places to stay, places to visit, places to drink etc. • Check that your Google Analytics account is up to date, consider upgrading to GA4 which has been recently released and check that revenue/booking tracking and attribution is in place • Allow payments online • Be very clear about COVID-19 specific restrictions/guidelines that are relevant to you and your customers, draw attention to your booking/cancellation/refund policies.
Our websites (for reference) https://niddocks.com https://niddocks.net https://swc700.com https://hyggeandrea.com https://southwestcoastroadtrip.com/ BUSINESS CORNWALL | 33
LITHIUM
EXPLORATION
Powering our
lithium future At a time when achieving clean energy and a low carbon economy are seen as key components of our global future, demand for lithium as a battery mineral is soaring. Long known for its tin, Cornwall is now on the cusp of becoming Europe’s first serious lithium producer.
completed a feasibility study, BLL is developing new technology to extract lithium carbonate from the mica in granite. Specialist equipment is being shipped from Australia and a pilot plant is being built at BLL’s premises in Victoria Business Park. If all goes according to plan, the pilot plant will be operational next Easter and, after extensive consultation with local stakeholders, BLL will build a quarry and processing plant and start full production in three to five years’ time.
Cornwall has the potential to become one of the leading players in the global production of lithium. We meet one of the businesses behind this drive, British Lithium impressive experience includes being CEO of The Quartz Corp (TQC) for six years - a joint venture between Imerys and Norsk Mineral that, during his tenure, saw TQC progress from new entrant to a global market leader.
Now, after three years of intensive research and exploration, Roche-based British Lithium Ltd (BLL) has been awarded £500k Innovate Smart Grant funding from the Government to move on to the next phase of its operation.
The men behind this remarkable project have a strong track record in the mining industry. BLL’s CEO Andrew Smith is an engineer who previously ran a large international mining team for the Cinovec lithium project in the Czech Republic and chair Roderick Smith, who spent more than 25 years leading publicly listed Australian mining companies as CEO, is an acknowledged world expert in extractive metallurgy.
BLL’s initial drilling programme in the St Austell area began in April 2019. Trenching work followed in September that year to establish the continuity of the discovered ore body over several kilometres and deeper holes were subsequently drilled in December to assess the depth of the find. The results were reported and an official JORC (Joint Ore Reserves Committee) Mineral Resource Estimate declared. A second round of exploration drilling will take place in the next few months, with analysis undertaken on site in the Roche metallurgical laboratory.
As the first company in the UK to explore for hard rock lithium and the only one so far to have established a resource and successfully
Joining them as strategic advisor is John Walker, a Cornishman who started his career at Imerys in St Austell in 1990. Currently chairman of Exawatt, a provider of strategic consulting and research in the battery, power electronics, electric vehicle and solar photovoltaic (PV) industries, John’s
As activity ramps up, so too is BLL’s recruitment drive. “We have a number of current vacancies advertised on our website and are looking at employing 400 people directly and another 1,200 indirectly through our supplier chain
South America currently produces about 90% of the metal that powers electric vehicle batteries, with Western Australia and China producing most of the rest.
34 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
We believe there’s potential for producing 21,000 tonnes of battery quality lithium carbonate each year
LITHIUM
once we’re fully operational,” says John Walker. “That’s an enormous opportunity for local people to get good, well-paid jobs in Cornwall rather than having to travel far and wide as I did. To that end, we’ll be discussing our future requirements with local education providers because it’s important to get the training pipeline in place. When we get to the stage of needing 50 geologists and another 50 mineralogists, we want to know there’s a talent pool available.” Lithium is a highly reactive and relatively light metal that is ideal for use in batteries – both those that power electric cars and those used for storing energy. Whilst 2020 has seen a dramatic decrease in the number of petrol and diesel cars sold, sales of zero-emission vehicles increased by nearly 160 per cent. Cars represent the UK’s largest export by value and car manufacturers co-locate with battery makers. A number of large lithium-ion battery plants are already under construction in Europe and two British start-ups – British Volt and AMTE Power – have recently announced plans to build the UK’s first ‘gigafactory’. “We have done a great deal of research and reconnaissance over the last couple of years,” said managing director Andrew Smith. “What we found was very exciting, so we then excavated trenches and used a
EXPLORATION
diamond drill rig to further delineate the mineralisation and get detailed information about the geological structure. “Based on our findings, we believe there’s potential for producing 21,000 tonnes of battery quality lithium carbonate each year – equating to about one third of what the country will need for its electric vehicle revolution by 2030. That’s excellent news for the Cornish economy and a significant boost to the UK’s decarbonisation strategy.” Cornwall’s existing transport infrastructure makes shipping lithium out and bringing raw materials in relatively easy. Nor is what Cornish Lithium is doing further west seen as any kind of competitive threat. “They are working on extracting lithium from geothermal brines rather than from the rock itself,” says Andrew. “Our two companies are working in parallel and, between us, we could soon be meeting most, if not all, of the UK’s lithium needs.” To survive and thrive, societies have to grow, make or mine. Cornwall’s minerology once played a key role in the county’s past. Now, in much cleaner, more sustainable ways, mining looks set to be an important part of its future too.
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 35
FUTURE
FOCUS
Back to the
Unlocking Potential’s free-thinking, future-facing, outside-the-box-ing programme is back: revamped, retooled and updated for changed days
futureagain
For years, Unlocking Potential gathered leaders of high-flying (£500k+ turnover) Cornish businesses together for their Future Focus programme. The aim was always to help those businesses to think big, think laterally and think ahead.
85% of them agreed that as a result they were “more excited about the future of their business and were more confident to try something new”. More tellingly, over 2,800 of those delegates signed up for another event or worked more intensively on another topic within the programme. All the participants said that they saw an increase in turnover and profitability, or expected one.
Future Focus was about innovation, ambition and horizon-scanning. And even though the task of getting busy business leaders to: 1 read what they’re sent; 2 say they’ll turn up; and 3 actually turn up is far from straightforward, the team at Unlocking Potential have some numbers to say they managed the task pretty well. Just over three and a half thousand delegates attended Future Focus events. Over
So far, so smashing; but what about now?
In their temporary absence, however, Future Focus offers Innovation and Future Planning workshops delivered via facilitated webinars, where a Business Development Manager works with businesses one-to-one. And there’s further support through a new online diagnostic tool: UP Interactive. A great deal of the team’s time since March has, of course, been spent perfecting their webinar and virtual-meeting game, honing their craft. This will inform and enhance their delivery of labs in which local business leaders share experiences and emphasise the learning potential of the peer-to-peer experience.
Re-energise business and help those with aspirations to lead change
Different times call for different strategies, hence the return of Future Focus. Role-modelling the agility and dynamism they talk about to businesses, since March 2020 the team have been undaunted: finding and refining new ways to deliver their programmes to all kinds of Cornish businesses. Which is not only why the second Future Focus exists at all, but why it exists in the form it does: still ambitious, still about innovation, now (foreseeably) online and appropriately interactive, one-to-one and peer-to-peer.
So yes, the ‘Uber Labs’ have to wait. These were trips out of Cornwall in which business leaders not only got to enjoy each other’s company, but went to see, first-hand, instances of innovation and outstanding practice nationally. There is a promise that 36 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
‘great brands’ have been lined up to host them again in 2021 but those plans are obviously on hold.
The first Labs have covered topics like ‘Maximising online sales in Quarter 1’ and have reaped feedback like “We came out with a list of ‘to-dos’ a mile long and spent the whole of Sunday planning. We would not have done this without being inspired by Future Focus!” Neil & Debbie Gregory, Elixir Health.
FUTURE
And “Realising the potential of selling on Amazon was an eye opener I can’t wait to put it into practice. This could be a game changer for my business.” Libby Panton, Coral & Moss. Added to this, one crucial difference between Future Focus’s first and second iterations is the increased participation of The University of Exeter, specifically its Business School. They’re all set to continue their ‘Mining Breakfasts’: monthly networking events with a specific focus. These events – academic speaker, insights from local business leaders – differ from the new element which the university is bringing to the programme. Academic-led workshops will explore how businesses can become more resilient and contribute to a more balanced economy. Plus, they can create bespoke research reports for businesses who want to explore how they can transform products and services toward a more circular economy. And, as to balance the academic approach, the pragmatic hands on approach of the Cornwall College group and Future Focus makes this ERDF-funded programme comprehensive for those businesses who want to push beyond horizon scanning. The programme also offers grants and coaching for innovation (even offering salary
FOCUS
subsidy and mentoring for the recruit). The experienced and insightful team delivering all of this will not only be that critical friend but will guide businesses to help re-imagine their futures and bring into focus with practical and achievable vision. Unlocking Potential’s programme director is Allyson Glover, and she linked Future Focus’s underpinning spirit with a wider business mindset in a (hopefully) post-Covid landscape. “Future Focus has always been about stimulating and encouraging innovation. The aim of the programme second time around, in partnership with the University of Exeter is to get people out of their day- to-day, to re-energise business and help those with aspirations to lead change. That seems to be an important goal at the best of times, but at a time like this, its function seems especially crucial, which is one reason why we can’t wait to get started.” If you feel that occasionally spending time looking intently and creatively at your market, your sector, your future and your leadership in the company of your peers represents a sound investment (as well as an interesting exercise), contact Future Focus and start your conversation today www.unlocking-potential.co.uk
The Future Focus 2 programme is receiving £2,509,399 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regeneration.
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 37
GROWTH
PROGRAMME
a one stop
shop
Three signposting hubs are providing key information and guidance to businesses and individuals, ensuring they are able to access the fully funded support available across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly The recently launched People Hub has now joined with the well-established Growth and Skills Hub. Together they offer a unique and comprehensive signposting service to both Cornish residents and businesses. Over 30 projects are currently being delivered across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, through £100 million funding from the European Regional Development Fund, to specifically target local growth and productivity, and now also supporting businesses with resilience and recovery strategies to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. While a further £63 million from the European Social Fund is being invested in local projects that support inclusion, training and access to better jobs. Many of these projects will continue to run beyond 2020 and some into 2023, and the Hubs’ mission is to help businesses and individuals tap into the support that has been specifically funded to help them grow and develop.
THE PEOPLE HUB Responding to an increasing number of residents in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly finding themselves out of work and many others struggling to access work, the People Hub is the latest initiative funded through the CIOS Growth Programme to help people who are out of work and may not know where to turn for support.
THE GROWTH HUB Now in its fifth year of delivery, the Growth Hub offers free business reviews to selfemployed and small and medium enterprises (SMES). Businesses then get referred to targeted funded projects providing expert support on specific issues such as starting a new business, HR, finance, management, manufacture, export, research and development, and ultimately supporting local business growth.
THE SKILLS HUB
To help businesses and individuals tap into the support that has been specifically funded to help them grow and develop
38 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
The Skills Hub is working in conjunction with the Growth Hub, focusing on upskilling the local workforce. Its team of skills experts are working on a one-to-one basis with Cornish businesses, helping them to thrive by identifying staff development and training opportunities to boost staff engagement and efficiency. Businesses can find out whether they are eligible to this free support by calling the Growth and Skills Hub on 01209 708660 or they can visit www.ciosgrowthhub.com to webchat with the team or request a call back.
The People Hub team provides friendly, localised support and advice on a range of issues such as re-training and skills, successful job search, housing, finances, health, disabilities and family – in fact, any personal barrier which prevents individuals from accessing work. The team will work with four delivery partners: Konnect Communities who will embed change within communities, Hi9 who are developing a solutions-focussed chatbot, SmartMatching who will train people to become remote workers, and Council of Isles of Scilly who will deliver the project across the archipelago.
To receive advice and guidance from the People Hub call on 0333 0150699 or visit www.ciosgrowthhub.com/peoplehub
The support Hubs are all delivered by Cornwall Development Company, thanks to a £12 million investment from the CIOS Growth Programme, the regeneration programme for the county, which uses funding from the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) to support local inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Since the start of the programme in 2014, over £409 million ESIF funding has been invested in 137 projects across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. For more information about the CIOS Growth programme visit: www. cornwallislesofscillygrowthprogramme.org.uk
CORNWALL AND ISLES OF SCILLY SUPPORT HUBS Supporting businesses and individuals
@growthskillshub
THE GROWTH & SKILLS HUB FREE EXPERT SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES Ready to take stock of your business? Need new skills to adapt to a new way of working? The Growth & Skills Hub work with local businesses, including self-employed people and not for profit organisations, to find the right support and training solutions to help them work smarter, develop and grow.
THE PEOPLE HUB FREE SIGNPOSTING SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS
FOR FREE & INDEPENDENT BUSINESS & SKILLS REVIEWS VISIT: www.ciosgrowthhub.com or call 01209 708660
Want to get into work but don’t know where to start? The People Hub provides friendly, localised support and advice on issues such as money worries, looking for work, developing your skills or retraining – helping you into or towards employment.
FOR FREE CONFIDENTIAL & IMPARTIAL GUIDANCE VISIT: www.ciosgrowthhub.com/peoplehub or call 0333 0150699
@thepeoplehub @PeopleHub2
This support is available as part of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Programme thanks to funding from the European Structural and Investment Funds
CREATIVE
AND DIGITAL
CHARITY SHOPS GO DIGITAL A Penryn-based start-up is creating an online marketplace for charity shops. Reluv, formed by Mollie Spurr, Harriet Wheatley and Tom Stewart on Launchpad, Falmouth University’s post-graduate incubation and acceleration programme, aims to improve the circulation of second-hand clothing. Stewart explained: “Charity shops don’t tend to do ecommerce, not many have an online space so we’re offering a platform where they can sell their best garments and reach new audiences. We’re all passionate about sustainable fashion and want to build online community as well as a marketplace with Reluv.” The trio met while studying BA(Hons) Fashion Marketing at Falmouth and joined the Launchpad programme in January as a fully formed team with a start-up idea. They incorporated in July and have six charities on board including local charity shop Pants.
A local web designer has been uniting VW enthusiasts around the world. Martin Sanders launched Veedubs.com earlier this year to share his passion for all things VW. And recognising that regional VW enthusiast events would be cancelled this year due to Covid, decided to launch a Veedubs.com Virtual Show & Shine event in aid of the Care Workers Charity. “As you may already appreciate,” explained Sanders, “automotive enthusiasts love to look at each other’s vehicles. With this in mind, I created the Veedubs.com website.
CORNWALL’S CREATIVE FUTURE Cornwall’s Creative Manifesto, which sets out to strengthen Cornwall’s position as the UK’s leading rural creative economy, has been published. Set to be formally launched early in the new year, this new strategy explains how Cornwall will define its place over the next five years. Along with a set of ambitions and projects, the Creative Manifesto sets out ten practical actions it pledges to facilitate in the next five years including campaigning, sector-led networking, maximising funding and research and Cornish Nationality. In 2018, the UK’s creative industries contributed more than £111 billion to the UK economy. Cornwall’s creative
40 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
sector is the third largest employer in the region and the most likely source of future high growth companies and higher value jobs. The manifesto positions Cornwall as the destination of choice for creative businesses, creative endeavours and creative, cultural social and economic success. Tim Dwelly, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for culture, economy and planning, said: “Cornwall’s creative economy can and will play a leading role in Cornwall’s economic future. Working with our freelancers, micro businesses, organisations and communities together we are determined to take full advantage of our status as the nation’s leading rural creative region.
A LOVE OF THE VDUB The Veedubs.com Virtual Show & Shine event has gained interest from VW owners from all over the world with classic VW Beetles from Australia to Mexico featuring on the website.” As part of the Show & Shine event, Sanders created an award across four categories (Air-Cooled/Water-Cooled Cars/Vans) with the winners, decided by a public vote, receiving a limited edition book – Volkfolk.
“The benefits that this Creative Manifesto will enable are far reaching. It will increase engagement and participation of our communities and will bring about the proven positive impact that taking part in cultural and creative activities has on health and wellbeing.” Mark Duddridge, chair of the LEP, added: “The creative economy spans many different industries from traditional crafts to the advanced digital technology. Cornwall has unique creative and cultural assets, combined with a digital network that is the envy of many regions. Together, these give us a distinctiveness and competitive advantage that the Creative Manifesto seeks to harness and grow. The LEP fully supports this fiveyear vision.” cornwall.gov.uk/creativemanifesto
NEWS
SPONSORED BY
#FSBCONNECT
SELF-EMPLOYED COMMUNITY SHRINKS BY 500,000 Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have shown that the number of self-employed people in the UK fell to 4.5 million, down from 5 million at November last year. The number of people who changed from reporting themselves as self-employed to an employee was 277,000 in Q3 of this year, the highest level since records began. Responding to the new figures, FSB National Chairman Mike Cherry, said: “Our selfemployed community was fundamental to our recovery from the last recession. If we want it to play that same role again, policymakers must do more to support it.
MIKE CHERRY concerned – delaying its reintroduction – but there is more work to do, especially where the start-up period is concerned.
“The economy will be permanently changed by Covid, and we need to encourage more of those who are leaving jobs that will not return to launch enterprises that will be here for years to come.
Too many independents are falling through cracks in the current business support landscape – not least new business owners, sole traders earning more than £50k and company directors – that urgently needs to change if we want more people to take the start-up plunge and become the employers of the future.
“We’ve successfully worked alongside government on the Enterprising You initiative in Manchester – exploring new ways to increase the take-up of training opportunities among the self-employed. It’s now time for the pilot to be rolled-out more widely.”
Policymakers must do more to encourage those who are out of work to strike out on their own – a Kickstart Start-Up initiative could be one way forward, building on the success of the New Enterprise Allowance and Start-Up Loans programmes.
The FSB says that Universal Credit also needs to be permanently reformed so that it reflects the realities of starting a new business – not everyone can be blessed with ready access to start-up capital. The Government listened to FSB where the Minimum Income Floor is
FSB is working closely with unions to find constructive ways forward in this space and will be presenting further recommendations around how to arrest this incredibly concerning drop in self-employment in the very near future.
BUSINESS CONFIDENCE INDEX The FSB has released its 2020 Q3 FSB South West Quarterly Small Business Index. The South West Small Business Index shows how small firms in the region continue to be adversely affected by the pandemic and all related restrictions, particularly in relation to general business conditions and employment intentions. Stoicism remains in place, despite confidence being at a low ebb. Investment intentions are still evident for many in the next 12 months, with the SW showing as at least slightly more positive in comparison to the rest of England. You can find the full report at: firstvoice.fsb.org.uk or by emailing vVanessa.gale@fsb.org.uk
HAVE YOUR SAY Between now and January, FSB Area Teams across the south west are gathering intelligence on towns that are thriving by identifying examples and case studies of innovative businesses and town projects. We want to hear about towns and the businesses within them, who are doing things differently and making things work. So please tell us: Where are things going well? – Is your business or town doing something a little out of the ordinary? How does it work and why? What is your town like now? – Tell us a before and after story. Is your town or business doing well because of these imaginative interventions or does it need a bit of help to get things moving? What would you like Stakeholders to do? – What has held you back and what help do you need from external policy makers to do more positive things?
The information will then be complied into a series of inspirational stories, recommendations and projects in order to inspire and support south west towns by sharing best practice and encouraging positive steps to recovery, from the most difficult trading times we have seen in recent history. The information will also be used to share with decision makers to seek additional support and to provide evidence, so that they will be able to champion our high streets more effectively. Please email your answers to the above to ann.vandermeulen@fsb.org.uk and help us to help you.
FSB Offer for Business Cornwall Magazine Readers at www.fsb.org.uk/join If you want to join FSB after reading this page then please quote BCM30 when you join and save £30!
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 41
TOURISM
NEWS
SPONSORED BY
www.visitcornwall.com
‘GUT-WRENCHING DISMAY’
NORTH CORNWALL PLANS
The owner of a Cornwall holiday park spoke of his “gut-wrenching dismay” at having to cancel more than 130 free holidays for lockdown heroes last month.
PHOTO: BEN PRYOR A planning application has been submitted to Cornwall Council to redevelop Trefresa Farm, close to Rock in north Cornwall. Owner Will Herrmann is working to bring the 114-acre farm back to life as a community hub, boutique hotel, spa, restaurant, and micro-distillery, alongside the existing agricultural business. “We were delighted to see so many members of the local community join us at the farm in September at our public consultation event,” said Herrmann.
Patrick Langmaid of Mother Ivey’s Bay in Padstow had pledged to give key workers the holidays as a massive “thank you” for their bravery and commitment during the continuing Covid crisis.
85 direct local jobs, following a period of “delicate and sensitive development”.
But the second lockdown meant the nocost stays had to be put on ice.
The final development will comprise 24 hotel rooms, and additional guest accommodation across 22 lodges and two treehouses, integrated into areas of woodland. The site will be predominantly car-free, with access to the lodges provided via raised walkways - minimising the environmental impact.
“I am so desperately disappointed that we are having to cancel the free holidays that we had planned and were so looking forward to providing,” said Langmaid.
“Vibrant biodiversity” is being promoted through the preservation and creation of habitats, including the restoration of hedgerows and banks, and planting new trees and meadows. Overall, the development proposals will result in a biodiversity net gain in excess of 15%.
“We had some great feedback, and in the weeks since have been finalising our planning application, and ensuring the points raised by the community are addressed.”
If the planning is approved, work will begin in 2021, with plans to open in early 2023.
The Trefresa Farm project is set to create
ROOM WITH A VIEW A PURRFECT STAY A Cornish ‘luxury boutique hotel for cats’ has been named Cattery of the Year at the Pet Industry Federation (PIF) awards.
The purpose-built Meadow Cat Hotel, at St Erme, features a range of high-end feline frills, including underfloor heating, ‘gourmet’ menus and wrought iron beds. The judging panel looked for commercial success, excellence in health and safety, commitment to animal welfare, and entrepreneurial flare. The Talland Bay Hotel near Polperro has completed renovation work to extend part of the 16th century building and create additional ocean fronting rooms. The extension provides a new ground floor superior sea view suite and a spacious firstfloor premier suite with private balcony and hot tub overlooking the grounds and ocean. The latest developments are part of a gradual refurbishment process being 42 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
rolled out by owners Kevin and Teresa O’Sullivan, who took over the hotel in 2015. The majority of the individually designed bedrooms and main reception areas have now been refreshed as part of the programme of improvements, totalling £250k to date. The hotel has complemented the refurbishment with the launch of a new website created by Clockwork Marketing.
The panel also conducted mystery shopping and confirmed the highest star rating had been awarded by the local council for licensing. “Tourism is such an important part of the Cornish economy,” said hotel MD Gemma Machin, “and we’re delighted to excel in our own sector – looking after cat guests and giving their owners the peace of mind to enjoy their time away.”
FOOD &
DRINK
AN ‘XXTRA’ SPECIAL TRIBUTE
St Austell Brewery has released a limited-edition beer in honour of its former brewing director, Roger Ryman, who sadly passed away in May.
Tribute XXTRA (6.8% abv) is a special, stronger version of Tribute – Ryman’s first brew when he started at the brewery in 1999. Tribute XXTRA is now available from St Austell Brewery’s online shop, while stocks last. For each case sold, £2.50 will be donated to
UK’S MOST LOVED ALE St Austell Brewery’s flagship beer brand, Tribute, is the UK’s most loved ale, according to the ‘Top 100 Most Loved Drinks Brands’ - the latest report from market research company, Savanta (November 2020). The consumer insight report is drawn from the opinions of over 96,000 consumers. It has revealed the UK’s most popular drinks brands for 2020, with performance rankings from across all major categories – beer,
cider, wine, spirits, soft drinks and no/low alcohol drinks. While Guinness came out top in the ‘Stout & Ale’ category, Tribute was the number one most loved ale. In terms of brand image, Tribute scored highly with consumers. 25% said the ale was ‘full of taste and flavour’, 23% described it as ‘easy drinking’ and 22% considered it a ‘classic’ brand. Andrew Turner, MD of St Austell Brewery’s Beer and Brands, said: “We’re very proud that people hold Tribute so close to their heart. Both its taste credentials and consistency have made it a firm favourite with beer lovers for over 20 years and it has a loyal and growing following to this day.”
biome which would incorporate his patentpending, carbonneutral rum ‘cask maturation pods’ designed by Grimshaw Architects alongside Buro Happold.
GEOTHERMAL RUM PLANS Cornwall’s historical links with rum smuggling and mining have come into futuristic focus with the unveiling of a £10 million, 30job vision to create a 100% sustainable rum cask maturation facility – using heat generated by the UK’s first geothermal power project. Matthew Clifford, founder of the Cornish Geothermal Distillery Company (CGDC), has submitted outline plans for a high-tech
The former offshore helicopter pilotturned-entrepreneur is working closely with Geothermal Engineering Limited (GEL), based at United Downs within Cornwall’s historic mining heartland, and other local partners. The project would initially see ethicallyproduced, Bonsucro-accredited rum distilled
St Austell Brewery’s Charitable Trust, which supports the work of local charities and good causes across the West Country Brewing director, Georgina Young, said: “Roger was an exceptional brewer and a great friend to all of us. We brewed Tribute XXTRA which has his signature on the label, as a mark of our respect to him and his wonderful beers.”
THREE ROSETTES FOR DRIFTWOOD The Driftwood Portscatho has been named among the best restaurants in the UK. The AA announced its latest round of Rosette Award winners, celebrating dining destinations with the highest quality culinary offerings in the country. Four British restaurants have been awarded four AA Rosettes, while 26 received three AA Rosettes, a record number for a single announcement, among them The Driftwood Portscatho.
around the world brought to the site, laid down in oak casks made and repaired by CGDC coopers (barrel makers) and stored in the maturation biome to enhance the product’s quality and flavour. The biome, approximately 14 metres tall at its highest point, would incorporate four maturation pods, amounting to 640,000L of rum in total which would be tropically matured over a period of five to ten years. “We’ve been working on our deep geothermal distillery project for the last two years and it is hugely exciting to finally share our plans for this initial ‘catalyst’ stage,” said Clifford.
BUSINESS CORNWALL | 43
EDUCATION
AND TRAINING
SPONSORED BY
FUTURE OF ECO SPACE TO STUDY EDUCATION A significant milestone has been reached in a major development refurbishing and upgrading academic and social spaces at the Penryn campus of Falmouth University and the University of Exeter.
The future of environmental and ecological education has been secured following the signing of a contract between the Eden Project and The Cornwall College Group (TCCG).
Midas Construction has completed a new academic extension, called the Exchange Courtyard, at the campus. It’s a key element of a wider £4.4 million design and build project to upgrade academic and social facilities as part of the Future Spaces plan.
The two organisations have jointly delivered courses through Eden Project Learning (EPL) for many years. According to TCCG principal and chief executive, John Evans, the contract heralds a new era for training in the region.
The Exchange Courtyard building provides 450sq m of new academic space for Penryn campus, and includes a range of seminar and tutorial rooms, as well as informal study booths.
He said: “The signing of this contract is not just a formalisation of the great work
www.truro-penwith.ac.uk
JOHN EVANS (LEFT), PETER STEWART (RIGHT) undertaken by the Eden Project and The Cornwall College Group, it marks an important next stage of the types of course we run to best prepare, train and inspire the future leaders of the environmental and ecological sectors from all over the world.” Eden Project board director, Peter Stewart, added: “Can there be anything more important than growing the next generation of people who understand ecology and the ecosystem around us? This is why the relationship between Eden and The Cornwall College Group is so exciting.”
OPEN DAY IS A VIRTUAL SUCCESS A leading local college welcomed over 1,800 virtual visitors to its first ever online open day last month. Future students of Truro College had the opportunity to chat live to tutors, take 3D tours of the campus and watch subject specific films, all from the comfort of their own home. Online applications were launched alongside the open day, allowing future students the opportunity to apply via the college’s website. Truro and Penwith College principal, Martin Tucker, said: “The success of our first ever virtual open event was tinged with some sadness that we couldn’t welcome visitors directly into the college but I am extremely proud of our staff for helping to deliver such an interesting and engaging virtual experience to visitors.” 44 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
A NEAP DEVELOPMENT Three Masters students from Falmouth University’s Launchpad Programme are tackling diabetes head on with a mindfulness mobile app.
people with diabetes and allows them to improve their relationship with the condition.
George Fry, Jake de Buriatte Moglia and Gianluca Frisina, met on the Launchpad incubation programme at Falmouth University, and motivated by their own experiences with diabetes, developed Neap.
Explaining how the idea for the app came about, Fry said: “After being diagnosed, I had a two hour crash course teaching me how to inject insulin and check blood sugars every time I ate for the rest of my life. Having a community of other people with diabetes to speak to and support during this time would have been invaluable.”
Focusing on ‘mindful diabetes management’, Neap aims to connect
The team is currently running a closed beta in anticipation of a full launch.
PEOPLE
ON THE MOVE
CFO AT CORNISH LITHIUM Mineral exploration company Cornish Lithium has appointed a chief financial officer. Varshan Gokool has joined the Cornish Lithium executive team to assist in the development of its lithium projects in Cornwall by ensuring an economically and financially robust framework as the company moves towards the commercial production of this vital battery metal. He has more than 22 years’ experience of guiding publicly listed mining companies from project definition through to development and construction in Europe and Africa, having led up to $1.5 billion of funding transactions. He was most recently president and CEO of Euromax Resources Limited, during which time he was pivotal in leading the Ilovica-Shtuka Copper Gold Project in North Macedonia. Jeremy Wrathall, CEO and founder of Cornish Lithium, said: “We are delighted to welcome Varshan to the executive team at Cornish Lithium and the significant financial acumen, strategy, optimisation and governance that I believe he can bring to the company.”
A senior geologist, a metallurgist and a principal engineer have started work with the British Lithium Limited (BLL) team in Cornwall.
LUKE ON THE MOVE Launceston-based logistics firm, Intercounty Distribution, has appointed a new business development manager. Luke Stonehouse, who has a wealth of knowledge of B2B knowledge, will focus on cultivating relationships with new customers and strengthening existing customer relations. He said: “I am really excited to get my teeth into the role at Intercounty. I have
STRINGER ON THE LAUNCHPAD Falmouth University’s Launchpad Outreach business support team is growing. As it continues to deliver support to SMEs across Cornwall, Launchpad Outreach has broadened its offer to businesses looking to
Dr Robert Gruar, Dr Klass Peter Van Der Wielen and Robin Kelly are all experts in their respective fields – adding considerable depth of experience to an operation that is now moving at pace from successful research and analysis towards pilot plant development over the next few months. Gruar joins BLL
a background in B2B sales, and I enjoy working with customers to build bespoke solutions to suit their needs, helping their business to exceed. Intercounty Distribution Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pall-Ex (UK) Ltd and works as part of the Pall-Ex network to deliver palletised freight solutions to businesses throughout the south west region.
develop new products or services. Appointing Adam Stringer, Falmouth University’s in-house product design consultant, Launchpad Outreach can now offer clients access to his computer-aided design (CAD) experience. Business development manager, Rachel Koerner, said: “For those businesses looking to apply design thinking and CAD experience to the development of their new products, we’re delighted to be able to offer Adam’s expertise.”
from Dyson in Malmesbury, where he was principal engineer. Kelly has been working as a chief geologist in Nigeria, while Van Der Wielen is a senior metallurgist who studied for his doctorate in minerals engineering at Camborne School of Mines from 2009-2012. His career to date has included working with Wolf Minerals at Drakelands tin and tungsten mine near Plymouth and, latterly, with Grinding Solutions - a mineral processing consultancy based in Cornwall. “This is a key trio of appointments for us as we progress towards becoming the first company in the UK to extract lithium carbonate from hard rock,” said BLL’s CEO Andrew Smith.
TRIO OF APPOINTMENTS AT BLL BUSINESS CORNWALL | 45
OPINION
JUST A THOUGHT
Ann Vandermeulen, development manager for FSB Cornwall, reflects back on what has been a year like no other
ENTERPRISING TIMES paydays possible but the businesses have still needed to adapt and make it work.
2020 tough year! Despite the horror stories and the chaos, many of Cornwall’s enterprising business folk have done amazing things, learning to overcome what they thought was impossible. In the wise words from a starship kind of “Enterprise”, captain James T Kirk said: “They used to say that if man was meant to fly, he’d have wings. But he did fly. He discovered he had to.” Many have found that by going boldly where they might not have gone before, they have discovered more is out there.
Restricted capacity hasn’t helped which means creative thinking has now become not only desirable but essential. A catalyst to do things completely differently or to try something new, for even those most set in their ways, has been enlightening and beneficial to the economy and the environment.
For example, FSB membership has helped hundreds of businesses out of an impending black hole. Help to navigate furlough, employment law, trading safely, taxation, cashflow, business support measures, funds for new projects, mental health and much more. The thing that has been the simplest change has been a different approach to looking for business support because for the first time, bluntly, they’ve had to.
They used to say that if man was meant to fly, he’d have wings. But he did fly. He discovered he had to
The findings of our latest FSB quarterly report sites confidence index scores across all regions as being in, unsurprisingly, the minus 30’s territory. However, to their credit and despite unprecedented trading conditions, south west businesses were among the most positive in the country when looking at their future revenue projections. 40% of them even expecting to grow rapidly in the next 12 months, which is pretty good considering.
Tired, stressed and in some cases pretty ‘brassic’ local businesses have pivoted, PPE’ed, set up deliveries, takeaways, gone online and been inventive to survive. On top of the daily struggle to keep all of the plates spinning and in the face of huge personal difficulties, we have also seen so many businesses rally around to help their communities too and they keep on doing all of this because they have discovered they can. But how?
We have not had as many cases of Covid-19 here in Cornwall and our local traders and towns have worked very hard to make sure visitors and locals have been able to get around and spend as much as possible. This has certainly helped the more positive viewpoint here perhaps. Customers do make
Going from being certain that you can’t fly to actually flying is no mean feat! Getting to grips with the funds, support and advice available has been daunting for those we have spoken to. But once they have picked up the phone to the likes of FSB, the Growth Hub and others that can offer help and guidance they have
46 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
really been surprised at how quickly they can go from feeling grounded to being elevated, ready to be creative and ground breaking with newfound resources to make it all happen.
Injections of cash via Government grants or other funding is, of course, what everyone wants to know about and has been the main reason for an initial call. However, there is also advice that saves you money, defines a plan, gives you new contacts, makes things happen and maybe makes things easier to make money. Exploring every possibility is what many of those with unexpected success and recharged attitude have then found they can do once the initial contact was made. So it seems right to end with a sentiment for 2021, with the famous Vulcan salute, “live long and prosper” and perhaps our own FSB slogan, “We can help your business fly” – ask for help, it’s out there!
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BUSINESS CORNWALL | 47
THE LAST
WORD
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG? With all of my family working in the agricultural industry I always wanted to be a farmer, but that soon changed after I discovered the art of film making.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST FULL TIME JOB? I’m very lucky to still be in my first full-time job, continuing to grow and build my video production company.
WHAT’S IN YOUR POCKETS? Phone, wallet and since March a trusty face mask.
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO RELAX? It’s usually pretty difficult for me to relax. As many business owners can probably relate, I find it really hard to switch off. However, a dog walk to help clear your mind and take a step back usually helps.
IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD IT BE? If I had the chance to build a house then it would have to be on our family farm. The stunning views, space and scenery would totally make it - might have an issue with no superfast internet though!
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION? What’s a holiday? When your family are all farmers, a holiday is a rare occasion. However, I first went abroad last year on the Banger Rally Challenge travelling through several European countries raising money for charity and ending up in Pompeii, Italy! - Long story short, I’ve only had one holiday.
IF YOU COULD BE GOD FOR A DAY, WHAT MIRACLE WOULD YOU PERFORM? Stop Covid-19 in its tracks and get life back to some normality.
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST MISTAKE IN LIFE? Going to university. While it’s definitely the right option for many people, I wouldn’t be where I am today if I continued my degree.
WHAT WAS YOUR LUCKIEST BREAK? I don’t think I’ve had my lucky break yet however, I’ve met some incredible people and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME? In life, you cannot plan, but you can have a clear vision for where you’d like to be and work towards it. I’d love to see Oatey Media continue to grow into a well-recognised and respected film production company, that’s known for creating outstanding work for its clients, alongside working with incredible people along the way. 48 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
SAM OATEY Founder of video production company, Oatey Media
Getting on board with
Saving lives is a team effort. As a charity, the crew can’t continue to save lives without the support of our business community.
The newest sponsor coming on board is Comitti Boats UK & Caribbean. Comitti Boats have sponsored the cost of the uniforms of four Cornwall Air Ambulance pilots for two years.
Get in touch to find out about sponsorship opportunities for 2021. Visit: cornwallairambulancetrust.org/sponsorship Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, Trevithick Downs, Newquay, Cornwall TR8 4DY | Registered charity 1133295